Pak should act against terrorists; another attack will be problematic: US


Washington, Mar 21 (PTI): The United States has asked Pakistan to take sustained, verifiable and irreversible action against the perpetrators of terrorism, while warning the country that another terror attack on India will prove to be "extremely problematic".

"We need to see Pakistan taking concrete and sustained action to reign in the terrorist groups, mainly the Jaish-e-Mohammed and the Lashkar-e-Taiba in order to ensure that we don't have re-escalation (of tension) in the region," a senior administration official told reporters at the White House on Wednesday.

"And, if there's any additional terrorist attack without Pakistan having made a sustained, sincere effort against these groups, it would be extremely problematic for Pakistan and it would cause re-escalation of tensions, which is dangerous for both countries," the official said on the condition of anonymity.

Asked about the steps being taken by Pakistan in the aftermath of the Balakot air strike by Indian fighter jets, the official said the US and the international community needed to see "irreversible and sustained" action against the terror groups.

"It's early to make a full assessment," the official said. In the recent days, the official said Pakistan has taken some "initial" actions. They have frozen the assets of some terrorist groups and made some arrests. They have taken administrative control of some of the JeM facilities, the official added.

"But we clearly need to see more. We need to see irreversible action because in the past, what we've seen is they made some arrests and then a few months later, they released these individuals. The terrorist leaders are sometimes still allowed to travel around the country, hold rallies," the official said.

Reiterating that the United States is looking for "irreversible action", the official said America is working with its international partners to increase pressure on Pakistan. "Because it has been too long that these groups have been able to operate."

Observing that Pakistan has economic concerns as well, the official said the Financial Action Tasks Force (FATF) is one area which demonstrates the need for them to take these actions against terror groups.

"Otherwise, they're at risk within the system and the FATF to be grey-listed," the official said. Pakistan needs to decide if it wants to be viewed as a responsible international player and have access to all the financial mechanisms that are available or is it going to continue to fail to take the steps necessary against these terrorist groups and see itself further isolated.

"The choice is Pakistan's," the senior administration official asserted. While the situation between the two south Asian neighbours have de-escalated, the two armies are still on high alert and that concerns the US, the official said.

"So, we realise that if there, God forbid, would be another terrorist attack that you could quickly see the escalation in the situation once again. So that's why, we're making clear that any additional military action by either side runs an unacceptably high risk, for both countries and for the region," the official said.

The Trump Administration, the official said, has taken sort of a "zero tolerance policy" on the issue of safe havens to terrorists. "The terror terrorist attack on February 14th on India was a demonstration that Pakistan's continuing provision of sanctuary for any terrorist group is not acceptable," the official said.

During the height of the crisis -- February 26-28 -- the United States was in continuous contact with Indian and Pakistani officials, both on the ground in New Delhi and Islamabad.

"They were working the phones continuously and were deeply engaged in seeking to deescalate what was a very dangerous moment in India-Pakistan relations," the official said.

The United States has also reached out to influential countries to have them help deescalate the situation, the senior administration official said.

Some of these countries are China, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, the United Kingdom, the European Union, Japan and Australia.

  

Top Stories

Comment on this article

  • Avinash, Mangalore

    Thu, Mar 21 2019

    For that you have to bring Modi back to power. You got to understand that if you elect Congress, they will not take any actions against Pakis. Cong will will have to please their traditional vote bank.
    Recall the speech from MMS when Mumbai was attacked "No one will derail the peace process". To this day no action has been taken.

    DisAgree [11] Agree [8] Reply Report Abuse

  • Ganesh Kamath, Mangalore

    Thu, Mar 21 2019

    I agree with you on this. All should go and vote to bring back Modi to power. Dont bother about the local candidate who ever it is.

    DisAgree [10] Agree [8] Reply Report Abuse

  • Chowkidar Shankar, Mangaluru

    Thu, Mar 21 2019

    Trump can see a clear victory for Modi in the coming Loksabha elections!

    DisAgree [9] Agree [12] Reply Report Abuse

  • j.anata, Mangaluru / Bengaluru

    Thu, Mar 21 2019

    Actually US of A is now toeing India's line to Pakistanis, strong diplomatic push by India has helped!

    DisAgree [6] Agree [6] Reply Report Abuse

  • RANGA, mangalore

    Thu, Mar 21 2019

    .....if they stop terror & if kashmir/afghanistan wont burn how can you sell weapon!....its a eye wash....US military very closely associates with paki army for decades date back to USSR era....what India/pakistan/afghanisatn facing terror problem is direct result of US meddling in Afghanistan to throw out USSR...Pakis who gave shoulders to US is main culprit for all deaths in Indian subcontinent...

    DisAgree [4] Agree [3] Reply Report Abuse

  • Zuhair, Udupi/Muscat

    Thu, Mar 21 2019

    yes, India is very angry and this time they will uproot more trees... beware

    DisAgree [17] Agree [2] Reply Report Abuse

  • Jossey Saldanha, Mumbai

    Thu, Mar 21 2019

    Trump wants to sell his Junk ...

    DisAgree [13] Agree [6] Reply Report Abuse

  • Lobo, Mangalore

    Thu, Mar 21 2019

    When USA talks tough with Pak, I don't understand why someone feels insecure. Boss he never raised Modi in his talk, then why do you become nervous...... However fact is that all these favourable things to India is because of good relation maintained by the present govt.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [7] Reply Report Abuse


Leave a Comment

Title: Pak should act against terrorists; another attack will be problematic: US



You have 2000 characters left.

Disclaimer:

Please write your correct name and email address. Kindly do not post any personal, abusive, defamatory, infringing, obscene, indecent, discriminatory or unlawful or similar comments. Daijiworld.com will not be responsible for any defamatory message posted under this article.

Please note that sending false messages to insult, defame, intimidate, mislead or deceive people or to intentionally cause public disorder is punishable under law. It is obligatory on Daijiworld to provide the IP address and other details of senders of such comments, to the authority concerned upon request.

Hence, sending offensive comments using daijiworld will be purely at your own risk, and in no way will Daijiworld.com be held responsible.