US NSA Susan Rice talks to Doval, says Pak must act on terror

US National Security Advisor Susan Rice called her Indian counterpart Ajit Doval on Thursday and condemned the Uri terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir, in which 18 soldiers died. She offered condolences to the victims and their families.

''Ambassador Rice reiterated our expectation that Pakistan take effective action to combat UN-designated terrorist entities, including LeT, JeM, and affiliates,'' said Ned Price, spokesperson of the US National Security Council.

''Highlighting the danger that cross-border terrorism poses to the region, she also affirmed President Barack Obama's commitment to redouble efforts to bring to justice the perpetrators of terrorism throughout the world,'' Price added.

The US has advised India to not escalate the situation with Pakistan even as India explores a whole host of diplomatic options to isolate Islamabad.

Earlier, US Secretary of State John Kerry has reportedly had two conversations with external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj over the last two days, which is said to be the first time that the US has spoken to the Indian leadership on the issue at a political level.

US condemnation of Pakistan's terror groups comes in the wake of the 8 September terrorist attack in Uri, Jammu and Kashmir, where 18 Indian soldiers were killed by suspected Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorists.

The Uri attack came amid a long drawn phase of violence in Kashmir Valley after the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani by security forces on 8 July that resulted in the deaths of around 90 people.