In a blunt message, the US yesterday told Pakistan it cannot "pick and choose” the terrorist groups it goes after and has to target militants who seek to harm its neighbours by taking refuge on its territory.

The US also rejected 2008 Mumbai attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed's remarks that America and India have joined hands against the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, which runs through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) and the recent US-India defence logistics agreement is anti-Muslim .

"... I would dismiss it (Saeed's comments) outright,” deputy spokesperson Mark Toner said in his daily press briefing.

"...we made it very clear that Pakistan can't pick and choose which terrorist groups it goes after and it has to go after those groups that seek to do harm to its neighbours and may seek refuge on Pakistani soil," he said.