Amid the rising terror incidents in Pakistan after the banned TTP ended ceasefire, the US has offered to help the country in dealing with the threats posed by the militant outfits.
During a press briefing, State Department Spokesperson Ned Price was asked to comment on terrorism and the hostage situation at a counterterrorism centre in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Bannu city.
“Well, first on the ongoing situation in Pakistan, we are of course aware. We’ve been closely following reports that militants have seized control of the counterterrorism centre in Bannu. We offer our deepest sympathies to those injured,” Ned Price said and urged those responsible for the attack to cease all acts of violence, to safely release those who remain hostage, and to end the seizure of the counterterrorism centre.
The spokesperson said that Islamabad is a partner when it comes to these shared challenges, including the challenge of terrorist groups — terrorist groups inside of Afghanistan, and terrorist groups along the Afghan-Pakistan border.
“We have partnered with our Pakistani friends to take on — to help them take on this challenge. We stand ready to assist, whether with this unfolding situation or more broadly. But this is a situation for which we’d have to refer you to Pakistani authorities.”
US stands ‘ready to assist Pakistan against terrorism
