Have constantly asked Pak to 'deny safe haven to extremists': US

Washington D.C., Aug 26 (ANI): The United States has asserted that it has consistently raised concerns at the highest level of the Pakistan Government "on the need to deny safe haven to extremists." These comments were made by U.S. State Department spokesperson Elizabeth Trudeau during a daily press briefing on Thursday. Replying to a poser, Trudeau said, "We have pressed the Government of Pakistan to follow up on their expressed commitment, their stated commitment to not discriminate among terror groups regardless of their agenda or affiliation." When asked for a follow up on the attack on the American University in Kabul, she said, "Afghan President Ghani today issued a statement after his national security council meeting in Kabul. According to the statement, he says the attack on the American University in Kabul was organized and orchestrated from Pakistan." She added, "The statement also says he called General Sharif, the Pakistan Army Chief, and demanded that action be taken against those who were behind this." The State Department spokesperson, however, denied to comment as to who was responsible for the attack. "As we have in the past, we encourage the governments of Afghanistan and Pakistan to work together not only in the wake of this attack and to ensure that such attacks don't happen again, but to increase their cooperation countering violent extremism writ large," she said. The American University in Afghanistan's Kabul city came under attack on Wednesday evening. The attack was launched after the militants detonated a Vehicle-borne Improvised Explosive Device (VBIED) near the university compound with the remaining militants starting gun attack, reported Khaama Press. No group has so far claimed responsibility for the incident. It is reported that at least 12 people lost their lives in the deadly attack. (ANI)