WASHINGTON – The US State Department on Tuesday called on the Afghan Taliban to prevent terrorist activities from originating within their borders.
State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller made this statement in response to a question about a recent terrorist attack in Dera Ismail Khan that resulted in the deaths of seven individuals, including two security forces members and five civilians among them children.
During a news briefing, Miller emphasized: “We continue to urge the Taliban to ensure that terrorist attacks are not launched from Afghan soil.”
He said that preventing such attacks has been a priority in US engagements with the Taliban and remains so. Miller also highlighted the significant suffering of the Pakistani people due to violent extremists and terrorists.
“We share a common interest with the Pakistani people and their government in addressing threats to regional security,” he added.
In the second quarter of 2024, Pakistan experienced 380 fatalities and 220 injuries among civilians, security personnel and outlaws due to 240 incidents of terror attacks and counter-terror operations, according to a Security Studies (CRSS) Annual Security report.
The report said that 236 of these fatalities were among civilians and security forces personnel.
According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the security personnel were killed in a prolonged firefight with terrorists, who were reportedly coming from “safe havens in Afghanistan.”
“On the night between July 15 and 16, terrorists launched a cowardly attack on the Rural Health Center (RHC) in Kirri Shamozai, Dera Ismail Khan District, and indiscriminately fired on the RHC staff,” stated the ISPR.
This was the second terrorist attack within 24 hours.
On July 15, eight soldiers were killed while attempting to thwart a terrorist infiltration into Bannu Cantonment. All 10 terrorists involved in the attack were killed when they drove an explosive-laden vehicle into the cantonment’s perimeter wall after their initial assault failed, according to the ISPR.
These attacks took place as Islamabad repeatedly urged the Afghan Taliban administration in Kabul to prevent the use of their territory by banned groups for attacks against Pakistan.
