US wants Pak military action against Haqqani network in its safe havens

PESHAWAR - The US Consul General in Peshawar, Candace Putnam, has said that her country wants to see the Pakistan government take action against the Haqqani network.

“We very much would like to see action in North Waziristan. The Haqqani network is killing our soldiers,” The Daily Times quoted Putnam, as saying.

“We greatly respect the progress the Pakistan Army has made in fighting militants. You knocked them out of Swat; made terrific progress in Bajaur, Mohmand and South Waziristan,” she added.

The outgoing consul general was also optimistic that Pakistan would succeed in the region.

“There is no question that extremists have found safe havens in the border areas… that is why your (Pakistani) troops are fighting in those areas. I think you recognised that reality. You have been making good progress in that battle against militants,” Putnam said.

Putnam further rejected the notion that the Obama administration was planning to leave Afghanistan.

“Our strategy has not changed. Our main goal is to defeat, dismantle and disrupt Al-Qaeda in Afghanistan before going back,” she declared. (ANI)