Need to shut down the safe havens for Taliban along Afghan-Pak border: US

Afghan security personnel patrol after they took back control of parts of the city of Herat. Pic/AP/PTI

The United States (US) is having conversations with the Pakistani leadership about the need to shut down the safe havens for Taliban militants 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.

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 insecurity and instability inside Afghanistan. We are not bashful about having that discussion with Pakistani leaders," he said.

India evacuates its staff

Meanwhile, India is evacuating its staff from its consulate in Afghanistan's Mazar-e-Sharif in view of the rapidly escalating violence by the Taliban around the capital city of Balkh province, people familiar with the development said on Tuesday. Agencies

‘Withdrawal of forces creating a vacuum'

Pakistan's Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said the "irresponsible" withdrawal of the US and NATO forces from Afghanistan may give benefit to militants and lead to further unrest in the country. Addressing a press conference on Monday, Qureshi called for a responsible and orderly withdrawal of the troops without leaving a vacuum for the militant element to play havoc and create a chaotic situation for the region, reports Xinhua news agency.

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