US in 'constant conversation' with Pak over terror outfits

Washington, Aug 31: The US has said it is in constant "conversation" with the Pakistani leadership on the threats posed by terror organisations like the Haqqani network operating in the region.

"There is a constant conversation that we are having with our Pakistani partners about the threat posed by Haqqani and other extremist groups in the region and certainly operating inside Pakistan," State Department spokesperson John Kirby told reporters at his daily news conference on Tuesday (Aug 30).

The dreaded Haqqani network, which is blamed for several deadly attacks against Indian interests in Afghanistan including the 2008 bombing of the Indian mission in Kabul that killed 58 people, has also carried out a number of kidnappings and attacks against US interests in Afghanistan, the Afghan government and other civilian targets. Kirby said there is no difference between the Pentagon and the US State Department on this issue.

"We make these decisions routinely and they're based on active conversations that we have with Pakistani leaders. I don't know of any difference. I think the United States government is viewing this very much all in the same light," he said.

Earlier, US Defence Secretary Ashton Carter had refused to give the necessary Congressional certification to Pakistan and had blocked military aid worth USD 300 million to Pakistan for not taking sufficient action against the Haqqani network.

PTI