(Image source from: politico.com)

An influential American lawmaker Rick Perry has endorsed India’s move to diplomatically isolate Pakistan, in the wake of a deadly terror attack in Pulwama early this month that claimed the lives of more than 40 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel.

The attack was carried out by Pakistan-based terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed on February 14. Jaish suicide bomber rammed a vehicle carrying over 100 kg of explosives into the bus carrying CRPF personnel in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pulwama district.

Following the incident, India retaliated by bombing and destroying JeM's biggest training camp in Balakot in Pakistan's restive Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, about 80-km from the Line of Control (LoC) early Tuesday, killing a "very large number" of terrorists, trainers, and senior commanders.

“We mourn the victims of this act of terror and call for continued action against any nation to include Pakistan that harbour terrorists and promotes violent extremism,” said Republican Congressman Rick Perry, on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives.

“India has announced its plans to diplomatically isolate Pakistan and canceled its preferential trade status. We support these efforts,” he said.

“To the nation of India, we mourn with you, we pray for you and we stand in solidarity with you during this difficult time,” Perry said.

On Tuesday morning, the Indian Air Force crossed the Line of Control for the first time since 1971.

-Sowmya Sangam