US backs Pakistan's right to defend itself against Taliban

Islamabad accuses Afghan regime of harbouring militants

- NAMITA SINGH

The United States has affirmed Pakistan's “right to defend itself” after Islamabad reported major clashes with Afghanistan’s Taliban rulers.

A State Department spokesperson said: “The United States supports Pakistan’s right to defend itself against attacks from the Taliban, a specially designated global terrorist group.”

Washington regards the Afghan Taliban as a terrorist organisation and considers Pakistan a key non-Nato ally. A US official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Reuters that Washington “does not view Pakistan as the aggressor in the latest escalation” and noted Islamabad is under pressure to address its security challenges.

The latest fighting began after Pakistan launched airstrikes on Afghan territory last weekend, prompting retaliatory Afghan attacks along the border. Islamabad says the strikes targeted Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militants operating from Afghanistan, who it accuses of waging an insurgency within Pakistan.

Afghanistan denies harbouring the TTP, arguing that Pakistan is deflecting blame for its own security failures.