US to continue to press Pakistan for operation against Haqqani network

In quick response of Sunday’s Kabul attacks, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said that the United States will continue to press Pakistan to launch an operation against the Haqqani network, as signs emerged it might be behind the assaults.

According to a statement issued by the State Department on Monday, Hillary Clinton spoke to Pakistan’s foreign minister Hina Rabbani Khar about their shared responsibility to confront terrorists.

In one of the most serious assaults on the capital in the past decade, Afghanistan’s Taliban attacked Kabul on Sunday with heavy explosions, rockets and gunfire.

The statement said that the two leaders discussed in detail the cowardly attacks in Afghanistan. It observed, ““(Clinton) underscored our shared responsibility for robust action … to confront and defeat terrorists and violent extremists”.

Victoria Nuland, the spokesperson of State Department said that the US Secretary of State, who is currently visiting Brazil, discussed upcoming policy in the US-Pakistan dialogue following the conclusion of a Pakistani parliamentary review.

According to her, Clinton recalled that she had pressed Pakistan to squeeze the Haqqani network when she had visited Islamabad October 2011. She continued that the US will continue to make point and pres it hard.

There were already indications of Haqqani’s involvement in the deadliest attacks as it was a very determined foe of Americans, she added.

She said that she expressed strong conviction with Hina Rabbani Khar that there had to be concerted efforts and commitment in combating terrorism. In her view, such attempts must involve the NATO-led forces in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Earlier, the Pentagon said a major attack on Afghan government buildings, military installments and foreign embassies was likely carried out by Haqqani militants who operate in bordering area of Pakistan.

Press Secretary George Little commented, “Initial indications are that the Haqqani network was involved in this set of attacks that occurred yesterday in Kabul”.

According to him, the 18-hour long battle was well-coordinated. He, however, appraised the role of Afghan security forces, saying they quelled the onslaught with great effort.

He said it was not surprising that attackers ambushed with an advent of spring, as fighting usually escalate in the season.

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Posted by Faisal Farooq on Apr 17 2012. Filed under Latest News, National, Pakistan, USA. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.