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KABUL – The United States has said that no equipment was left behind by American forces during the Afghanistan withdrawal that could be utilized by terrorists to target Pakistan. This is as the Taliban inherited a huge arsenal of weaponry abandoned by American forces in August 2021.
This comes after a terror attack was launched on Mianwali Training Air Base of the Pakistan Air Force on Saturday. Later, it was reported that Pakistani security forces had allegedly recovered US-made weapons from terrorists after the airbase attack.
In a presser on Tuesday, US State Department’s principal deputy spokesperson, Vedant Patel was asked about the reports of American weapons allegedly used in the Mianwali air base attack.
Patel replied that the US was aware of the reports of terrorist attacks in Pakistan and offered its condolences.
“But I want to be very clear about this: There was no equipment left behind by American forces during the withdrawal from Afghanistan.
I will also add that while large-scale military grant assistance remains suspended, we have partnered with Pakistan for more than 40 years to support law enforcement, rule of law, counternarcotics efforts, and other areas in the security space, and will continue to value our bilateral relationship.“
Repatriation of Afghan refugees via Chaman border continues
While talking about Pakistan deporting hundred of thousands of Afghan refugees, the US official said that Washington joins partners in urging all states, including Pakistan, to uphold their respective obligations in their treatment of refugees and asylum seekers and to respect the principle of non-refoulement.
“We strongly encourage Afghanistan’s neighbors, including Pakistan, to allow entry for Afghans seeking international protection and to coordinate with the appropriate international humanitarian organizations.”
