Need to shut down safe havens for Taliban: US
The US is having conversations with the Pakistani leadership about the need to shut down the safe havens for Taliban terrorists along the Afghan-Pakistan border that are providing a source of more insecurity and instability inside Afghanistan, the Pentagon has said, as Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin spoke over phone with Pakistan Army chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa.
Washington
Austin, in a phone call with Gen Bajwa on Monday, discussed the current situation in Afghanistan, regional security issues and the bilateral defence ties, Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby said.
During the phone call, Austin expressed his interest in continuing to improve the US-Pakistan relationship and build upon their multiple shared interests in the region, Kirby said on Monday in a readout of the conversation.
“Secretary Austin and General Bajwa discussed the ongoing situation in Afghanistan, regional security and stability, and the bilateral defence relationship more broadly,” Kirby said.
Austin discussed the mutual goals of security and stability in the region, he said.
Responding to a question, Kirby said the US continues to have conversations with the Pakistani leadership about the safe havens that exist along that border between Afghanistan and Pakistan.
“We are mindful that those safe havens are only providing a source of more insecurity and more instability inside Afghanistan. We are not bashful about having that discussion with Pakistani leaders,” he said.
“We are also mindful that Pakistan and the Pakistani people also fall victim to terrorist activities that emanate from that region. So, we all have a shared sense of the importance of closing down those safe havens and not allowing them to be used by the Taliban or other terrorist networks to sow discord,” Kirby said.
“And again, we’re having that conversation with the Pakistanis all the time,” he added.
Taliban’s surge in Afghanistan has intensified as US and NATO troops wrap up their withdrawal from the war-torn country.With Taliban attacks increasing, Afghan security forces and government troops have retaliated with airstrikes aided by the US.
Visit news.dtnext.in to explore our interactive epaper!
Download the DT Next app for more exciting features!
Click here for iOS
Click here for Android