WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump’s South Asia Policy has authorized its commanders in the region to take action against terrorists both in Afghanistan and Pakistan, says White House
A press release issued by the White House on Tuesday stated, “President Trump’s conditions-based South Asia Strategy provides commanders with the authority and resources needed to deny terrorists the safe haven they seek in Afghanistan and Pakistan”.
In August, Trump unveiled the strategy and vowed to defeat the terrorists on the battlefield. He said “From now on, victory will have a clear definition: attacking our enemies, obliterating ISIS, crushing Al Qaeda, preventing the Taliban from taking over Afghanistan, and stopping mass terror attacks against America”.
https://en.dailypakistan.com.pk/headline/trump-ratchets-up-pressure-on-pakistan-vows-not-to-quit-afghanistan/
The White House in the statement further said, “President Trump is making clear to our allies that they cannot be America’s friend while supporting or condoning terror. The President has suspended security assistance to Pakistan, sending a long overdue message to aid recipients that we expect them to fully join us in combatting terrorism”.
Following the strategy, the suspected US drone strikes on Pakistan territory increased, as a result of which terrorists of different outfits, including Haqqani Network and Taliban, were reportedly killed.
https://en.dailypakistan.com.pk/headline/drone-attack-kills-two-terrorists-in-orkazai-agency/
However, the US authorities did not give any official statement regarding the drone attacks in Pakistan. Recently, a drone attack in Kurram region reportedly killed Haqqani Network commander Ehsan alias Khawari and his two companions.
Later, Pakistan condemned what it said was a US military drone strike inside its territory. The unmanned aircraft’s missiles “targeted an Afghan refugee” camp in northwestern Kurram region.
Foreign Office Spokesperson Dr Mohammad Faisal, in a statement, said: “Such unilateral actions, as that of today, are detrimental to the spirit of cooperation between the two countries in the fight against terrorism”.
However, United States labelled Pakistan’s allegation of striking an Afghan refugee camp near Kurram Agency in a drone attack as “false”.
“The claim in an MFA statement yesterday that US forces struck an Afghan refugee camp in Kurram Agency yesterday is false,” the US said.
