Supporting Pakistan’s efforts against terrorism, the US State Department demanded the Afghan Taliban ensure that the terrorist episodes were not launched from their soil. State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller stated this in reply to a query aiming his words on a recent terrorist attack in which seven people, including two security forces personnel and five civilians, including children, were killed. The security personnel were martyred in an hours-long interaction of fire with the terrorists, and again, these are terrorists coming from the “haven in Afghanistan”.
According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), “On the evening between July 15 and 16, the terrorists undertook a cowardly raid on the Rural Health Center (RHC), Kirri Shamozai in the Dera Ismail Khan District and spread indiscriminate fire on RHC staff.”
Addressing a news briefing, Miller stated: “We do continue to encourage the Taliban to ensure that terrorist attacks are not undertaken from the – from Afghan soil.” The spokesperson stated that it had been a priority for the US in meetings with them, and it continues to be. He restated that the Pakistani people have suffered considerably at the hands of violent extremists and terrorists. “We have a shared stake with the Pakistani people and the government of Pakistan in fighting threats to regional security.”
It is relevant to mention here that it was the second terrorist attack in 24 hours as eight soldiers were martyred while trying to hinder a terrorist infiltration into Bannu Cantonment in the wee hours of July 15. As per the ISPR, all 10 terrorists who attempted to enter the Cantt were killed as they rammed an explosive-laden vehicle into the boundary wall of the cantonment when their attack failed. The raids come as Islamabad has time and again contacted the Afghan Taliban administration in Kabul to stop its soil from being used by various restricted outfits for terrorist attacks against Pakistan.
Meanwhile, Pentagon Press Secretary Major General Pat Ryder conveyed condolences to the bereaved relatives of those soldiers who laid down their lives in the line of duty. Replying to a question during a press briefing, Ryder stated: “Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of those soldiers that were lost.” “Pakistan is in a tough fight at times when it comes to fighting terrorists in the region. And so, certainly saddened to – to hear that.”
He further declared that the US and Pakistan have performed together in the past, and “we continue to examine ways that we can work together”. To another question about Pakistan’s demand for modern American spears to deal with the situation, the spokesperson stated: “I don’t have anything to report.” “We do maintain a – a security partnership relationship with Pakistan. And so, I’m — I’m sure that those conversations are happening via those agencies to look at Pakistan’s requirements and — and what the US can do to sustain,” he said.
