US calls on Pakistan to 'exercise restraint' after Afghan strikes

“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,” White House spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre said in a press briefing on Monday.

“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 counterterrorism efforts,” she added.

Jean-Pierre went on to add that both sides must resolve their issues through dialogue.

“We remain committed to ensuring that Afghanistan never again becomes a safe haven for terrorists who wish to harm United States or our other partners or allies,” she said.

On the other hand, State Department’s deputy spokesperson Vedant Patel made very similar remarks calling on Paksitan to exercise restraint.

“We urge Pakistan to exercise restraint and ensure civilians are not harmed in their counterterrorism efforts,” Patel said.

He also called upon Afghanistan to make sure its soil is not used for terrorism in neighboring countries.

Pakistan said on Monday that it carried out intelligence-based anti-terrorist operations in the border regions inside Afghanistan on Monday morning.

“The prime target of today’s operation was the terrorists belonging to Hafiz Gul Bahadur Group, which along with Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), is responsible for multiple terrorist attacks inside Pakistan, resulting in deaths of hundreds of civilians and law enforcement officials,” the Foreign Office said in a statement.