US backs Pakistan’s right to self-defence after anti-militant operations

ISLAMABAD: The United States has said it supports Pakistan’s right to protect itself from terrorist attacks after Pakistani forces carried out coordinated ground and air operations against militant positions near the Afghan border.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the US State Department said the Pakistani population had endured heavy losses due to terrorism and backed Islamabad’s right to respond to such attacks.

The Pakistani people have suffered greatly at the hands of terrorists.

The State Department added that Washington supports Pakistan’s right to defend itself against terrorist attacks.

Operation Ghazab lil-Haq

The US statement came after the federal government announced that 29 militants had been killed in a series of intelligence-based actions and precision strikes carried out under Operation Ghazab lil-Haq.

Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said on June 29 that security forces first conducted an intelligence-led operation in Bajaur district in which four militants associated with Jamaat ul Ahrar and Fitna al-Khawarij were killed. He said one of those killed was a senior commander, Khan Farosh, also known as Zabal.

Tarar said the action was followed by overnight precision strikes carried out between June 28 and 29 against militant camps and hideouts in border areas. According to him, three targets in Paktia, Paktika and Kunar were destroyed, and 25 militants were killed in those strikes.

He also said that large stocks of weapons and ammunition stored at the targeted locations were destroyed during the operation.

Government account of the operations

According to the federal government, the military action was launched after several terrorist incidents inside Pakistan, including attacks in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan and on a Pakistan Rangers (Sindh) camp in Karachi.

The Inter-Services Public Relations also said the military had shot down four rudimentary drones launched by the Afghan Taliban along the Balochistan border.

Broader context

Pakistan has repeatedly accused the Afghan Taliban administration of giving refuge to militant groups involved in attacks inside Pakistan.

Pakistan, which is designated a major non-Nato ally of the United States, has seen its ties with Washington improve since President Donald Trump returned to the White House. Islamabad has played a mediatory role in efforts linked to the recent conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran.