'Cross-Border Terrorism Threatens India-Pakistan Peace, Afghan Stability'

Washington: Militants operating out of Pakistan and Afghanistan "continue to threaten Afghan stability as well as stoke tensions between Pakistan and India", a top US commander has said. In a briefing to the US Senate Armed Services Committee on Thursday, US Central Command Commander General Joseph Votel said the US was looking to all regional actors "to cease behaviour undermining regional stability and play constructive roles in achieving peace in Afghanistan as well as the whole of South Asia". He said cross-border attacks by violent extremist organisations fuelled instability and generated tension along the Pakistan-Afghan border. According to the general, though Pakistan took "positive steps to assist Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad in support of Afghanistan reconciliation by facilitating talks with the Taliban", it avoided taking any concrete steps such as arresting or expelling Taliban leaders who do not cooperate with reconciliation efforts. (IANS)

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