- Says US, NATO stand by Afghan security forces against terrorists
KABUL, August 27: Commander of US and NATO forces in Afghanistan General John Nicholson has claimed that the United States is aware of the Afghan Taliban leadership’s presence in Quetta and Peshawar cities of Pakistan.
“The Quetta Shura, Peshawar Shura, these shuras are identified by cities inside Pakistan, we know Afghan Taliban leaders are in these areas,” he said in an exclusive interview with Afghan media outlet TOLO news.
According to him, the issue of sanctuaries was a serious one and one that needed to be addressed.
On whether a diplomatic solution could be found, he said this was a possibility but that a significant military effort inside the country would be carried out and that together the US would work with the Afghan government to increase its military capabilities.
“I am primarily focused on activities inside Afghanistan,” but other officials are looking into the issue of sanctuaries in Pakistan, he claimed.
Nicholson made it clear that the US and NATO stand by the Afghan security forces against terrorists and enemies of Afghanistan and said that the Taliban cannot win on the battlefield. “It’s time for them to join the peace process,” he stressed. He said the issue of outside sanctuaries has to be addressed but that it was “being addressed in private between the US government and the Pakistani government – but it does need to be addressed.” “Support for terrorists and insurgents has to be reduced, has to be stopped,” said Nicholson. Specifically asked whether the Taliban leadership in Quetta and Pashawar and other major Pakistan cities “shouldn’t sleep in peace from now on”, he said “I won’t put words in the (US) president’s mouth but he definitely conveyed this message.” – DNA
