In a major political development, the United States has expressed support for Pakistan’s right to defend itself amid ongoing cross-border hostilities with the Afghan Taliban, according to a report by Radio Pakistan.

The US Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs, Allison Hooker, said she spoke with Pakistan’s Foreign Secretary Amna Baloch on the phone to convey condolences over the loss of lives in the recent conflict between Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban regime.

In a statement shared on social media, Hooker said the United States is closely monitoring the evolving security situation and reiterated Washington’s support for Pakistan’s right to self-defence against Taliban attacks.

“Spoke today with Pakistan Foreign Secretary Baloch to express condolences for lives lost in the recent conflict between Pakistan and the Taliban. We continue to monitor the situation closely and expressed support for Pakistan’s right to defend itself against Taliban attacks,” she said.

The remarks come amid heightened tensions along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, where Pakistani security forces have launched retaliatory strikes against militant positions inside Afghanistan.