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Loss of civilian life troubling to us: Vedant Patel
Speaking on Pakistan- Afghanistan conflict, he said, "The US regularly communicates with Pakistani leaders on counter terrorism efforts."
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Indian American Vedant Patel at a press briefing / Screengrab from the official video
The US Department of State Principal Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel expressed regret for the loss of life and injustices resulting from the recent attack in Pakistan and the strike in Afghanistan during a press briefing on Mar. 18 . The airstrikes conducted by Pakistan targeted multiple sites inside Afghanistan including multiple TTP sites, Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan sites, and resulted in eight fatalities. This action was reportedly in response to a suicide bombing administered by Afghanistan that killed seven soldiers in Pakistan.
The Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan (TTP) is designated as a terrorist organization by multiple countries, including Pakistan, the United States, and others.
“We’ve seen reports that Pakistan carried out airstrikes in Afghanistan in response to the attack in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan on Saturday at a military post,” Patel said.
“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.”
“We urge both sides to address any differences. 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,” he added.
While the US regularly communicates with Pakistani leaders on counterterrorism efforts, discussions also cover bilateral ties, including regional security and economic reforms. “Ambassador Blome on March 15th did meet with Prime Minister Sharif to discuss a broad range of bilateral issues – partnering with the Government of Pakistan on regional security; the United States’s 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 that we continue to engage with our Pakistani partners on,” Patel said.
The US emphasizes the importance of minimizing civilian harm in counterterrorism operations. “Any loss of civilian life is troubling and heartbreaking to us, and so we want to make sure that when some of these operations are being conducted, that every step possible is being taken, that it’s the perpetrators that are being held to account, and that it’s not civilians who are being impacted,” Patel emphasized.
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