US aware of Taleban’s presence in Quetta, Peshawar: Nicholson

kabul — The US knows about the Afghan Taleban leaderships presence in Quetta and Peshawar city of Pakistan, commander of US Forces and Nato in Afghanistan, General John Nicholson, has said.

The US commander said the issue of terrorist sanctuaries outside Afghanistan was serious and needed to be addressed.

“Support for terrorists and insurgents has to be reduced, has to be stopped,” he told Tolo News in an interview.

“I am primarily focused on activities inside Afghanistan but other officials are looking into the issue of sanctuaries in Pakistan,” he said.

“The Quetta Shura, Peshawar Shura, these shuras are identified by cities inside Pakistan, we know Afghan Taleban leaders are in these areas.”

Nicholson said that following US President Donald Trump’s announcement of new Afghanistan and South Asia strategy, he as a commander had a new policy “One based on conditions and not time.”

the Quetta shura, Peshawar shura, these shuras are identified by cities inside Pakistan, we know afghan taleban leaders are in these areas Gen. John Nicholson, chief of US Forces and Nato in Afghanistan

Trump, in his first address as the commander-in-chief, called for more troop deployment and India’s role in Afghanistan while lambasting Pakistan for offering safe havens to “agents of chaos”.

Asked if he saw Taleban as a terrorist organisation, Nicholson said: “They do terrorist activities and enable terrorists.”

He pointed out Taleban’s links in the past with Al Qaeda.

Hoping the Taleban would enter the peace process with Washington, Nicholson said the military would continue to put pressure on their sanctuaries inside and outside Afghanistan. The top commander said that Washington’s new policy in the region was not time-based; rather, it relied on the fulfillment of certain conditions.

“It is our mandate to put military pressure on the Taleban,” Gen Nicholson said, adding that Washington was seeking a peaceful solution in Afghanistan.

“Taleban need to know they cannot win militarily.” Hoping that the Taleban would enter the peace process with Washington, the top commander said that the military would continue to put pressure on their sanctuaries inside and outside Afghanistan.

The top commander said that while it was possible to find a diplomatic formula in Afghanistan, the United States would continue its military efforts in the country and help Afghan forces improve their capabilities.