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Rise of the Taliban in Afghanistan intensified as US troops complete their withdrawal (File)
Washington:
The United States is discussing with Pakistani leaders the need to close shelters for Taliban terrorists along the Afghan-Pakistani border, which are a source of insecurity and instability in Afghanistan, the Pentagon said, as Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin was speaking. by telephone with the head of the Pakistani army, General Qamar Javed Bajwa.
Austin, in a phone call with General Bajwa on Monday, discussed the current situation in Afghanistan, regional security concerns and bilateral defense ties, Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said.
During the phone call, Austin expressed interest in continuing to improve US-Pakistan relations and build on their multiple common interests in the region, Kirby said Monday in a conversation read.
“Secretary Austin and General Bajwa discussed the current situation in Afghanistan, regional security and stability, and bilateral defense relations more broadly,” Kirby said.
Austin discussed mutual goals of security and stability in the region, he said.
Responding to a question, Kirby said the United States continues to have conversations with Pakistani leaders about the safe havens that exist along this border between Afghanistan and Pakistan.
“We are aware that these havens only increase insecurity and instability inside Afghanistan. We are not ashamed to have this discussion with Pakistani leaders,” he said. declared.
“We are also aware that Pakistan and the Pakistani people are also victims of terrorist activities emanating from this region. So we all share the feeling of the importance of closing these shelters and not allowing them to be used by the Taliban or other terrorist networks to sow discord, “Kirby said.
“And again, we have this conversation with Pakistanis all the time,” he added.
The rise of the Taliban in Afghanistan has intensified as US and NATO troops complete their withdrawal from the war-torn country.
With the increase in Taliban attacks, Afghan security forces and government troops responded with airstrikes with assistance from the United States.
Afghanistan and the United States have criticized Pakistan in the past for allowing Taliban fighters to enter Pakistan, where they are provided with safe shelters and also receive medical treatment.
As Kabul claims Islamabad sends thousands of terrorists to fight in the war-torn country and provides refuge for the Taliban, Pakistan claims Afghanistan is home to the anti-Pakistan group Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan – the Pakistani Taliban – and also the secessionist Balochistan Liberation Army.
Pakistan has said it has used its influence over the Taliban to push the insurgents into talks with the United States and the Afghan government to find a political solution to the crisis.
Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan said last month that the United States “really messed it up” in Afghanistan by questioning the American motive for invading the country in 2001, and then its subsequent attempts to seek a political solution with it. the Taliban from a position of weakness.
(Except for the title, this story was not edited by NDTV staff and is posted from a syndicated feed.)
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