- Matters escalated after a February 14 suicide bombing in Indian-administered Kashmir
- Islamabad has since arrested dozens of extremists and seized their assets
WASHINGTON: The United States remains concerned about India-Pakistan tensions as the nuclear-armed countries' militaries remain on alert nearly three weeks after their most dangerous confrontation in decades, a senior US administration official said on Wednesday.
The official also indicated that President Donald Trump's administration does not think Pakistan has adequately cracked down on the Islamist extremists who claimed responsibility for a bomb attack on Indian security forces that triggered last month's crisis.
"If there is an additional terrorist attack without Pakistan having made a sustained sincere effort against these groups, it will be extremely problematic for Pakistan and it would cause a re-escalation in tensions," the official, who briefed reporters on condition of anonymity, said.
The official's comments underscored the Trump administration's view that Pakistan's harboring of extremist groups lies at the heart of the latest upsurge in tensions.
The crisis erupted with a February 14 suicide bombing in Indian-administered Kashmir which killed 40 paramilitary officers and was claimed by Jaish-e-Mohammed, a militant group that US officials charge is harbored by Pakistan. Islamabad denies the allegation.
On February 26, India launched its first-ever airstrikes on an alleged extremist training camp in Pakistan. The following day, Pakistani aircraft retaliated against targets inside India-controlled Kashmir, triggering a dogfight.