The U.S. State Department said on Sunday Washington was in touch with both India and Pakistan while urging them to work towards what it called a "responsible solution" as tensions have risen between the two Asian nations following a recent Islamist militant attack in Kashmir.

NEW DELHI — A deadly attack on tourists in Indian-controlled Kashmir has again moved India and Pakistan closer to war as the two rivals downgraded diplomatic and trade ties, closed the main border crossing and revoked visas for each other’s nationals.

In a further escalation, the two sides have repeatedly exchanged gun and artillery fire across the Line of Control that demarcates India-held Jammu and Kashmir from Pakistani-controlled Azad Kashmir,