Washington, DC [US], March 19 (HBTV): Reacting to Pakistan's airstrikes in Afghanistan, the US has called on Taliban to ensure that terrorist attacks are not launched from Afghan soil. It also urged Islamabad to exercise restraint and ensure civilians are not harmed in their counter-terrorism efforts, US Department of State Principal Spokesperson Vedant Patel said on Tuesday, local time.    

Addressing a press briefing on Tuesday, Patel urged the Taliban to ensure that terrorist attacks are not launched from Afghan soil. He stressed that the US remains committed to ensuring that Afghanistan does not become a safe haven for terrorists who wish to harm the US and its allies.   

Asked about Pakistan's airstrikes in Afghanistan, Vedant Patel responded, "We have seen the reports that Pakistan carried out airstrikes in Afghanistan in response to the attack in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan on Saturday at a military post. We deeply regret the loss of life and injustices sustained during the attack in Pakistan and the loss of civilian lives during the strike in Afghanistan."     

"We urge the Taliban to ensure that terrorist attacks are not launched from Afghan soil and urge Pakistan to exercise restraint and ensure civilians are not harmed in their counter-terrorism efforts and we urge both sides to address any differences. We remain committed to ensuring that Afghanistan never again becomes a safe haven for terrorists who wish to harm the United States and our partners and allies," he added.              

Vedant Patel's statement comes after Pakistan carried out airstrikes in Khost and Paktia provinces of Afghanistan, which claimed the lives of eight people including children and women.        

The Taliban asserted that such airstrikes were a clear violation of Afghanistan's territory, Afghanistan-based TOLO News reported.

(ANI) This is a syndicated news feed. HBTV has edited it for clarity.