WASHINGTON : The United States is not contemplating military action insidePakistan, the Pentagon has said, refuting such reports appearing inPakistani newspapers.

Instead, the US seeks Pakistan’s cooperation and assistance in variousoperations under its new South Asia strategy, Lt Gen Kenneth F McKenzietold reporters at a news conference Thursday.

We actually don’t contemplate military operations inside Pakistan. On theother hand, we recognise, because the strategy is inherently regional andPakistan is geographically located at a critical nexus of a lot ofdifferent things, Pakistan is a fundamental part of the strategy.

“Through a variety of measures, we look to gain Pakistani cooperation andassistance as we pursue operations in Afghanistan. But we’re not planningto conduct military operations inside Pakistan,” he told Pentagon reportersin response to a question.

Under the new South Asia strategy, Pakistan has an opportunity to be apartner in fight against terrorism, Pentagon’s Chief Spokesperson DanaWhite said.

It (Pakistan) has been a victim of terrorism, and it has supportedterrorism. We are looking for Pakistan to actively join, it can do thethings we need them to do to confront terrorism.

“So it’s an inflection point, it’s an opportunity, and we hope Pakistanwill take it,” she said in response to a question.

White refuted impression that there is connection between the recentattacks in Kabul and the US’ decision to suspend aid to Pakistan.

The Taliban is desperate. They’re murderous and they attack innocentcivilians. As the general said, these were flashy but it shows theirdisparity.

“For every attack that’s carried out, many, many, many are stopped, manyare prevented from occurring. So to think that you’re going to haveexquisite timing on when an attack occurs is probably a bridge too far forthe Taliban to have,” White said.

Orignally published by INP