'Pakistan critical partner against IS-K'
The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) has lauded Pakistan as a "critical counter-terrorism partner" that remains "central" to the fight against the militant Islamic State-Khorasan (IS-K) in South Asia, underscoring continued security cooperation between Washington and Islamabad.
The remarks were made by CENTCOM Commander Navy Admiral Bradford Cooper during testimony before the Senate Armed Services Committee earlier this week, where he briefed lawmakers on the progress of 'Operation Epic Fury' - Washington's military campaign against Iran that began on February 28 and currently remains paused.
A statement issued following the May 14 briefing also included Admiral Cooper's remarks regarding US engagement in South and Central Asia and the evolving regional security landscape.
Addressing the committee, Admiral Cooper said the "shared" threat posed by external operations emanating from Afghanistan continued to serve as "an animating force among our partners".
"Pakistan, especially, is a critical CT partner that is central to the fight against ISIS-K in the region," Admiral Cooper said, adding that the "strong military-to-military partnership" between Washington and Islamabad had "produced tangible results against high-value individuals with American blood on their hands".
The CENTCOM commander further told lawmakers that the bilateral military partnership had also been "key" to the command's support for Pakistan following the devastating September 2025 floods.
He maintained that "these tangible, mutual wins are direct reflections of our enduring friendship and shared resolve".
"Our Central Asian partners, likewise, are keeping a wary eye towards Afghanistan-based terrorist threats," he added.
In March 2025, shortly after assuming office for a second term, US President Donald Trump announced that the individual responsible for the killing of 13 American service members during the 2021 withdrawal from Afghanistan had been arrested with Pakistan's assistance and was being transferred to the United States to face justice.
The 2021 Abbey Gate bombing had killed 13 US service members and around 170 Afghan civilians during the chaotic American withdrawal from Afghanistan. The militant Islamic State group had claimed responsibility for the attack.
In a public acknowledgement of Islamabad's role, Trump had said: "I want to thank especially the government of Pakistan for helping arrest this monster."
Later, in June 2025, then CENTCOM commander Army General Michael Kurilla had also praised Pakistan as a "phenomenal partner in the world of counter-terrorism", particularly citing the country's operations against terrorism in Balochistan and militant outfits such as IS-K.
Highlighting a "phenomenal partnership" with Islamabad, General Kurilla had noted that Pakistan had "gone after ISIS Khorasan (IS-K) killing dozens of them".