Washington, April 30 -- US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has asked Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to condemn the "unconscionable" Pahalgam terror attack and "de-escalate tensions" with India to "maintain peace and security" in South Asia.

In his talks, Rubio also encouraged Pakistan to cooperate with investigation efforts and reestablish direct communications with India, according to a statement from US State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce.

Both leaders reaffirmed their continued commitment to holding terrorists accountable for their heinous acts of violence, Bruce said.

It comes as there has been a rise in ceasefire violations by Pakistan along the Line of Control (Loc) in Jammu and Kashmir after the April 22 brutal atta...