WASHINGTON -  Afghanistan and Pakistan need to work together to achieve the shared goals of defeating violent extremists, the United States said on Monday, as it expressed concern over growing tension between the neighbors after a series of terrorist attacks in Kabul.    

“It is in the urgent interest of both countries to eliminate safe havens and to reduce the operational capacity of the Taliban on both sides of the border,” State Department spokesperson John Kirby told reporters at his daily news conference.     

Referring to terrorists detonating a car bomb at Kabul international airport, he said: “Now is the time for the leaders of Afghanistan and Pakistan to work together to achieve the shared goal of defeating violent extremists.”

“These attacks, all of them, have resulted in now hundreds of casualties and at least 56 deaths, including children, demonstrate again the insurgency's complete disregard for the lives of innocent Afghans,” he said.

He said the people of the region had suffered far too much at the hands of terrorists. The United States stood by the Afghans and remained committed to working closely with Afghanistan, Pakistan, and other partners to achieve a stable, secure and prosperous region, he continued.

Kirby said the goal had always been one of Afghan-led reconciliation with the Taliban and that remained America’s objective. “Obviously, these attacks underscore two things: that Afghanistan remains dangerous place and that the Taliban has not renounced the use of violence as a tactic and a terror device.”

“We want to see political reconciliation and a safe and prosperous and secure Afghanistan, and again, these attacks underscore that remains a challenge,” he added.

Earlier in the morning, Secretary of State John Kerry spoke with the President, Ashraf Ghani. They talked about the issue of terror safe havens and the need for both countries to continue to work together to eliminate them, he said. (Pajhwok)