Spokesperson for the Department of State, Mark Toner has reiterated that drone attacks would not stop in Pakistan’s territory and terrorists would be targeted, reported Friday.
The department has stated that Pakistan should take action against all extremist groups.
On the other hand, the United States has offered Afghanistan Taliban for the second time to hold talks. The spokesperson said that the banned outfit does not have any option but to reconcile and work towards peace.
Mullah Akhtar Mansoor was targeted for not taking the reconciliation process seriously and attacks on US and Afganistan forces, Toner said. He asserted that United States favours reconciliation process to re-establish peace in Afghanistan.
The new leader of Taliban, Mullah Haibatullah Akhundzada has an opportunity to choose talks and end disturbance in the region, he added.
He cleared United States stance after Pakistan’s strong reaction following drone strike in Balochistan that it would target militants wherever need be to safeguard its interests.
A drone attack on Saturday killed Mullah Akhtar Mansoor, Afghanistan Taliban chief who entered Pakistan after allegedly visiting his family in Iran. He was to enter Afghanistan after passing through Balochistan and was using a white corolla.
United States intelligence agency locked the target and kept a vigil until he was away from populated vicinities before handing over the operation to the military.
An unmanned aircraft took off from a base in Afghanistan and attacked the vehicle in Nushki area of the province.
Secretary of State John Kerry said that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was informed about the attack beforehand however Foreign Office (FO) denied the report and stated that the premier was informed after the strike.
Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif held a meeting with US Ambassador David Hale earlier this week and termed the strike an act that was detrimental to Pak-US relations.
Nawaz Sharif and Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar in separate statements declared the attack a violation of Pakistan’s sovereignty.
However, Obama administration is not budging and has announced to continue drone attacks in Pakistan for the second time.
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