WASHINGTON: The United States on Thursday reaffirmed its support for Pakistan’s right to defend itself against terrorist attacks as intermittent clashes continued along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border.

Responding to questions on the situation, the US State Department said the Pakistani people had suffered greatly at the hands of terrorism and reiterated Washington’s support for Pakistan’s right to protect itself.

“The Pakistani people have suffered greatly at the hands of terrorists,” the State Department said, adding that the United States supports Pakistan’s right to defend itself against such attacks.

The remarks come as tensions remain high between Pakistan and Afghanistan following their most serious military confrontation in years earlier this year.

Earlier this week, the United Nations said at least 28 civilians were killed and 49 others injured in Pakistani airstrikes along the Afghan border.

The Afghan Taliban later claimed to have carried out airstrikes inside Pakistani territory, while Islamabad said its security forces intercepted and shot down four rudimentary drones launched into Balochistan.

Pakistan has repeatedly accused Afghanistan’s Taliban-led government of providing safe havens to militant groups responsible for attacks inside Pakistan.

The Afghan Taliban have denied the allegations, maintaining that militancy is Pakistan’s internal issue and accusing Islamabad of shifting responsibility for its security challenges.

Pakistan, a major non-NATO ally of the United States, has seen its relations with Washington improve since President Donald Trump returned to the White House. Islamabad has also been playing a mediating role in diplomatic efforts aimed at resolving the US-Israeli conflict with Iran.