The United States has offered its help to Pakistan in tackling the threats posed by terrorists as the country witnesses a rise in terror incidents following an end of the ceasefire by outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

US State Department spokesperson Ned Price said during a press briefing that his country “stands ready to assist” Pakistan on taking on the challenge of terrorism. The statement came in response to a question regarding terrorism and the hostage situation at a counterterrorism centre in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Bannu city.
Well, first on the ongoing situation in Pakistan, we are of course aware. We’ve been closely following reports that militants have seized control of the counterterrorism centre in Bannu. We offer our deepest sympathies to those injured,” Price said and urged those responsible for the attack to cease all acts of violence, to safely release those who remain hostage, and end the seizure of the counterterrorism centre.

The spokesperson said that Islamabad is a partner when it comes to these shared challenges, including the challenge of terrorist groups — terrorist groups inside of Afghanistan, and terrorist groups along the Afghan-Pakistan border.

“We have partnered with our Pakistani friends to take on — to help them take on this challenge. We stand ready to assist, whether with this unfolding situation or more broadly. But this is a situation for which we’d have to refer you to Pakistani authorities.”