US for joint operation to counter Pak extremism

Washington, Apr.21 (ANI): Raising concerns over the increasing writ of the Taliban in Pakistan, the United States has urged the international community to join hands to counter the insurgents' dangerous ambitions.

"They're a threat to democracy and stability in the region, and we call on all those who are interested in bringing about stability to that region to work with us to root out violent extremism," US State Department spokesperson Robert Wood said.

Wood said the United States is jointly working with other countries to help Pakistan and Afghanistan stabilise, and thwart the challenges posed by the extremists.

"This is not going to be easy," he pointed out.

Commenting on the 'trust deficit' which prevails between Washington and Islamabad, Wood said the US was working on 'a whole range of issues' to overcome the problem.

"There is certainly a commitment on the part of the government of Pakistan to address this issue, as on the part of the US government," the Dawn quoted Wood, as saying.

Responding to media reports that quoted a Pakistan Minister as saying that the US led allied forces have failed in Afghanistan and Pakistan , Wood said : "It's not a question of whether people perceive what has happened up until now as a failure or success. We've got some severe challenges that we have to meet." (ANI)