U.S. Calls on Afghanistan to Prevent Terrorist Activities on Its Territory

Terrorist Activities

WASHINGTON: On Thursday, the US State Department publicly voiced its support for Pakistan’s counterterrorism efforts and called on the Taliban government in Afghanistan to prevent the use of Afghan territory by terrorist groups.

In an interview , a State Department spokesperson highlighted the United States’ endorsement of Pakistan’s strategies aimed at ensuring the security and safety of its population while adhering to the rule of law and human rights.

The spokesperson expressed deep concern for the suffering endured by the Pakistani people due to terrorist activities and emphasized that no nation should be subjected to such threats.

The US reiterated its stance towards the Taliban, insisting that Afghanistan must not serve as a launchpad for terrorist actions. “We urge the Taliban to ensure that Afghan soil is not used to support terrorist groups, movement of terrorists, or acts of terrorism,” the spokesperson stated.

Additionally, the US government has made it clear that their assessment of the Taliban would be based on actions rather than declarations. “We have been very clear that we will judge the Taliban by what they do, not what they say.

The Taliban wants international legitimacy. This requires the Taliban to meet their commitments to the international community,” the official articulated.

The enduring priority for the US in Afghanistan is to prevent it from becoming a safe haven for terrorists, particularly those who intend harm towards the US or its allies.

Regular dialogues are held with Pakistani leadership as part of the broader US-Pakistan counterterrorism partnership, with detailed discussions on Afghanistan through annual dialogues and bilateral consultations.

Islamabad has consistently pressed Kabul to take decisive action against terrorists using Afghan soil for launching attacks into Pakistan. This issue was underscored during a recent briefing for Pakistan Army’s top commanders, where the threat of terrorist groups operating from Afghanistan was discussed.

These groups not only threaten regional and global security but also target Pakistan’s economic interests, including the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

The seriousness of the threat was highlighted by a recent military operation in North Waziristan, where Pakistani security forces eliminated seven terrorists attempting to cross the Pakistan-Afghanistan border.

The operation, detailed by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) on April 16, involved the detection and neutralization of terrorists near the border in the Spinkai area of Ghulam Khan, where a significant cache of weapons, ammunition, and explosives was also seized.

The military has repeatedly urged the Taliban-led interim Afghan government to take responsibility for effective border management and to prevent terrorists from using Afghan territory as a base for launching attacks against Pakistan.

This ongoing concern was exemplified last month when Pakistan conducted an intelligence-based anti-terrorist operation inside Afghanistan targeting the Hafiz Gul Bahadur Group and the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), groups responsible for numerous terrorist attacks in Pakistan, including a recent attack in March that killed seven Pakistani soldiers in North Waziristan.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, condemning the attack, reaffirmed the necessity of vigilant and proactive measures against groups harboring aggressive intentions towards Pakistan.