US rejects Saeed’s remarks, says Pak can't 'pick and choose' terror groups to go after

In a blunt message, the US on Thursday told Pakistan it cannot “pick and choose” the terrorist groups it goes after and has to target militants who seek to harm its neighbours, taking refuge on its territory.

The US also rejected 2008 Mumbai attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed’s remarks that America and India have joined hands against the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, which runs through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).

The remarks by Deputy Spokesperson Mark Toner in his daily press briefing were in response to a question seeking his reaction on Saeed’s remarks in the wake of India asking Pakistan to hand him over or do something about these attacks. “... I would dismiss it (Saeed’s comments) outright.

“We have a strong bilateral relationship with Pakistan, but one that is premised on counterterrorism cooperation and as as part of that conversation, or that dialogue and that cooperation that we have on counterterrorism issues, we made it very clear that Pakistan can’t pick and choose which terrorist groups it goes after and it has to go after those groups that seek to do harm to its neighbours and may seek refuge on Pakistani soil,” he said.

The US earlier said it is in constant “conversation” with the Pakistani leadership on the threats posed by terror organisations like the Haqqani network and LeT operating in the region.

The dreaded Haqqani network, which is blamed for several deadly attacks against Indian interests in Afghanistan including the 2008 bombing of the Indian mission in Kabul that killed 58 people, has also carried out a number of kidnappings and attacks against US interests in Afghanistan, the Afghan government and other civilian targets.

US Defence Secretary Ashton Carter had refused to give the necessary Congressional certification to Pakistan and had blocked military aid worth USD 300 million to Islamabad for not taking sufficient action against the Haqqani network.