A deadly attack on tourists in the disputed Kashmir last week has plunged relations between India and Pakistan to new lows, with both sides hinting at imminent military action.

Pakistan is bracing for Indian military action before Thursday night, officials warned, but cautioned that neither side would benefit from a return to war.

The United States has appealed to both India and Pakistan to de-escalate border tensions that have been prevailing between the two nuclear power-armed South Asian countries after the Pahalgam terror attack,