New Delhi, March 3 -- Pakistan's president on Monday defended his country's ongoing military strikes in neighboring Afghanistan, saying Islamabad tried all forms of diplomacy before targeting militants operating from Afghan territory, and called on the Taliban government in Kabul to disarm groups responsible for attacks in Pakistan.

Pakistan earlier said it is in "open war" with Afghanistan, alarming the international community. The border area remains a stronghold for militant organizations including al-Qaida and the Islamic State group.

"(The Afghan Taliban) must choose to dismantle the terror groups that survive on conflict and its war economy," Asif Ali Zardari said during a speech to lawmakers, adding that "no state accepts serial ...