During a press briefing, U.S. State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce avoided giving a direct response to concerns raised about terrorist networks operating from Afghanistan and their role in the recent surge of terror attacks in Pakistan.

Jahanzaib Ali, a journalist from ARY News Pakistan, asked about the growing terrorist activities in Pakistan, pointing out that groups like TTP, Al-Qaeda, and ISIS are operating from Afghanistan under the Taliban regime. He mentioned that Pakistan, a partner country, has lost hundreds of civilians and security officials in recent months and has even handed over a most-wanted terrorist to U.S. authorities.

In response, Bruce acknowledged awareness of “certain problems, human rights issues, et cetera” but refrained from commenting further. She said, “We seem to be in a series here of things that I want to take back on this. So I’m going to take that back.”

She then shifted the focus of the briefing towards the U.S. sanctions on Hizballah, stating she preferred to discuss that topic instead.

Here is the text of the exchange:

QUESTION: For the last few months, we have seen a rise in terrorist activities in Pakistan. Hundreds of civilians and security officials lost their lives. And Pakistan is a partner country and recently handed over the most wanted terrorist to U.S. authorities. And these all terrorist networks are based in Afghanistan – TTP, al-Qaida, ISIS – and Pakistan has kind of war against terrorists, against terrorism. So how U.S. see this kind of situation, like all those terrorist networks established and working under the umbrella of Taliban?

MS BRUCE: Well, it’s a dynamic where we are aware of certain problems, human rights issues, et cetera. But again, this is – we seem to be in a series here of things that I want to take back on this. So I’m going to take that back. If you don’t mind, we’re going to go on. And I –

QUESTION: Again, but —

MS BRUCE: What I do want to discuss here, sir – and if someone has – I want to discuss the Hizballah sanctions that we have going on as well. I know that many of you might be interested in that as well. But let’s – well, let’s go on. I’m not going to start to try to direct what you’re saying here.