WASHINGTON

US Democratic Senator Jeanne Shaheen, a ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, expressed grave concern Tuesday over escalating military operations between India and Pakistan, urging both sides to exercise restraint and prioritize diplomacy.

“I am gravely concerned by reports of military escalation between India and Pakistan following the senseless terrorist attacks targeting innocent Indian civilians on April 22,” Shaheen said in a statement.

“I implore the two governments to exercise restraint and prioritize diplomatic engagement. The world can ill afford instability in South Asia,” she added.

Shaheen also expressed hope that those responsible for the April 22 attack would be brought to justice "as soon as possible."

The statement came after India launched missile strikes targeting nine sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir early Wednesday.

The Pakistani Army said at least eight people were killed and 35 injured while two are missing in the attacks.

The escalation between the nuclear-armed neighbors comes in the wake of the April 22 attack in Pahalgam, Indian-administered Kashmir in which 26 people were killed.

India blamed Pakistan for the attack, claiming there were cross-border links. Pakistan denied that it had anything to do with the killings.