WASHINGTON: The US has rejected insinuations that the attack on Mehsud intended to destroy Pakistan`s nascent peace process.

A US State Department official said talks with the Taliban were an internal matter for Pakistan.

The statement insisted that Pakistan and the US had a `shared strategic interest in ending extremist violence`.

`The issue of whether to negotiate with TTP is an internal matter for Pakistan, and we refer you to the government of Pakistan for further details,` said the department`s spokesperson Jen Psaki.

`More broadly, the United States and Pakistan continue to have a vital, shared strategic interest in ending extremist violence so as to build a more prosperous, stable, and peaceful region,` she added.

`We have an ongoing dialogue with Pakistan regarding all aspects of the relationship and our shared interests, including security and counterterrorism cooperation, and we work together to address each other`s concerns.