Islamabad: The United States reaffirmed its commitment to counterterrorism cooperation with Pakistan, noting its long history of working together.
“The US and Pakistan have worked together in the past, and we continue to discuss ways that we can work together,” stated Pentagon Press Secretary Major General Pat Ryder on Tuesday.
In a press briefing, Ryder expressed condolences for the eight Pakistani soldiers who were martyred and dozens injured in a terrorist attack.
On Monday, ten terrorists targeted the Bannu Cantonment in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, resulting in the martyrdom of eight soldiers, the military said in a statement.
According to Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the attackers attempted to infiltrate the cantonment but were repelled, leading them to detonate an explosive-laden vehicle against the perimeter wall.
The statement said that the suicide blast led to the collapse of a portion of the wall and damaged the adjoining infrastructure, resulting in the martyrdom of eight soldiers.
Ryder stated, “Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of those soldiers that were lost.”
He acknowledged the challenging fight Pakistan faces against terrorism in the region and reiterated the sorrow felt by the United States.
When asked about potential US support for Pakistan in light of these events, Ryder highlighted the history of counterterrorism cooperation between the two nations. He mentioned that discussions are ongoing regarding ways to enhance this collaboration.
“The US and Pakistan have worked together in the past, and we continue to discuss ways that we can work together,” he noted.
Addressing the query about providing modern American weapons to Pakistan, Ryder did not offer any definitive announcements.
He acknowledged the security cooperation relationship with Pakistan and assured that discussions are being held to assess Pakistan’s needs and determine how the US can support them.
The issue of American weapons left in Afghanistan falling into terrorist hands was also brought up.
Ryder assured that the US is aware of these concerns and is engaging with Pakistan through established mechanisms to address them.
