Afghan refugees not responsible for terrorism in Pakistan : US

WASHINGTON: There is no indication that Afghan refugees in Pakistan or along its border have engaged in acts of extremism, the White House said, after Pakistan’s army raised concerns that militants had found safe havens in Afghanistan.

“We’ve seen no indication that Afghan refugees in Pakistan or along that border are guilty of acts of terrorism,” White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told reporters in a press briefing on Monday.

“We’re grateful to Pakistan for the incredible generosity that they have extended to so many Afghans who are just looking for a safe and secure place to be,” Kirby said. “And we’ll continue to work with Pakistan as we have on their legitimate terrorism threats.”

Meanwhile, the Pakistan Army said Islamabad faces security risks because of Afghanistan allowing “sanctuaries and liberty of action to terrorists of proscribed Tehreek-i-Taliban (TTP) and other groups of that ilk”.

At the 258th Corps Commanders Conference chaired by Chief of Army Staff General Syed Asim Munir, the army said that the TTP had obtained access to the latest weaponry because of their Afghan sanctuaries.

The US State Department indicated some support in this regard when spokesperson Matthew Miller told a press briefing that the “Afghan Taliban has the responsibility to prevent Afghanistan from being used as a safe haven for launching terrorist attacks.”

Terror attacks in Pakistan have soared since November last year when the TTP ended its ceasefire agreement with Islamabad, with the armed forces also ramping up efforts against militants.