Pak needs to do 'great deal' against Taliban, Qaeda leadership hiding inside: Mullen

Islamabad, Dec. 17 (ANI): Highlighting that Pakistan still needs to do a 'great deal' against the extremists, US Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Admiral Mike Mullen has said that top commanders of the Taliban and Al-Qaeda have taken refuge inside country and are planning attacks against Americans.

During an interview at the US embassy here, Admiral Mullen said the United States has information that the extremist leadership is present inside Pakistan, which now is the focus of its policy.

"The indication that I have is that they (Al Qaeda and Afghan Taliban leadership) are here (Pakistan) and are actually protected by others, particularly, by the (local) Taliban. This is our information, we operate under it and it's the focus of our strategy," The Daily Times quoted Admiral Mullen, as saying.

While parrying questions about the possible expansion of drone strikes to Balochistan, the top US official said the Obama administration is determined not to let the militants use Pakistan's territory for plotting attacks across the globe.

"We are going to do everything we possibly can do to make sure that it does not happen again," Admiral Mullen added.

Commenting on the Kashmir issue, he said the age-long crisis was the prime reason behind the bitter relationship between both the countries.

Admiral Mullen urged the leadership of the both India and Pakistan as well as the international community to step forward to address the issue.

He also pointed out that the unresolved Kashmir issue is a source of regional instability and provided a 'fertile ground' for extremists and terrorists to carry on their nefarious activities. (ANI)