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The United States has urged Pakistan to show restraint in its counter-terrorist operations in Afghanistan, following Islamabad's announcement of conducting airstrikes on Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) affiliated militants in the neighbouring country.

 

White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, speaking at a press conference on Monday, emphasised the importance of restraint. Jean-Pierre also urged the Taliban, which governs Afghanistan, to ensure that Afghan soil is not used as a launchpad for terrorist attacks.

 

The statement from the White House comes amid escalating tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan. Earlier on Monday, Pakistan confirmed carrying out airstrikes on TTP militants in Afghanistan, amidst heightened rhetoric between the two nations regarding recent terrorist attacks in troubled Pakistani cities.

 

According to Pakistan's Foreign Office (FO), the airstrikes targeted rebels belonging to the TTP's Hafiz Gul Bahadur Group. This action followed the outfit's claim of responsibility for a deadly attack on Saturday at an army outpost, resulting in the tragic deaths of seven soldiers, including two officers.

 

At least eight civilians, including three children, were killed in the airstrikes carried out by Pakistan, the Afghan Taliban said while summoning the charge d'affaires of Pakistan's embassy in Kabul to lodge a strong protest.

 

Jean-Pierre said Pakistan and Afghanistan should resolve their differences through dialogue.

 

"We are aware of the reports, obviously, that Pakistan carried out airstrikes in Afghanistan in response to the attack in Pakistan on Saturday at a military post. We deeply regret the loss of life and injuries sustained during the attack in Pakistan and the loss of civilian lives during the strikes in Afghanistan," she said.

 

"We urge the Taliban to ensure that terrorist attacks are not launched from Afghan soil. We urge Pakistan to exercise restraint and ensure civilians are not harmed in their counter-terrorism efforts.

 

"We urge both sides to address any differences through dialogue. We remain committed to ensuring that Afghanistan never again becomes a safe haven for terrorists who wish to harm the United States or our other partners or allies," she said.

 

At a separate news conference, State Department Spokesperson Vedant Patel spoke in the same vein.

 

"We deeply regret the loss of life and injustices sustained during the attack in Pakistan, and the loss of civilian lives during the strike in Afghanistan. We urge the Taliban to ensure that terrorist attacks are not launched from Afghan soil, and we urge Pakistan to exercise restraint and ensure civilians are not harmed in their counterterrorism efforts. And we urge both sides to address any differences," he said.

 

"We remain committed to ensuring that Afghanistan never again becomes a safe haven for terrorists who wish to harm the United States or our partners and allies," Patel said.

 

The US has been in regular communication with Pakistani leaders to discuss Afghanistan in detail, including through counter-terrorism dialogue and other bilateral consultations, he said.

 

US Ambassador to Pakistan Donald Blome met Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on March 15 to discuss a broad range of bilateral issues, partnering with the Pakistani government on regional security, the US support for continued economic reforms with and through the International Monetary Fund, trade and investment, education, climate change, and other private sector-led economic growth issues, he added.

 

The airstrikes by Pakistan came a day after President Asif Ali Zardari vowed retaliation following the killing of seven soldiers, including two officers, in Saturday's terrorist attack in North Waziristan.