Pak should 'expel' terror groups
In a tough message to Pakistan, James Mattis, Donald Trump's pick for US defence secretary, has said that if confirmed, he would tell Islamabad the need to "expel or neutralise" externally-focused militant groups operating with impunity within the country.
In his written submission to the Senate Armed Services Committee ahead of his confirmation hearing on Thursday, Mattis noted that " conditioning our security assistance" to Pakistan has a mixed history, "but I will review all option."
"If confirmed, I will work with the State Department and the Congress to incentivise Pakistan's co-operation on issues critical to our national interests and the region's security, with focus on Pakistan's need to expel or neutralize externally-focused militant groups that operate within its borders," said Mattis.
The 66-year-old Marine general, who retired in 2013 after serving as commander of US Central Command, was responding to a question if he supports conditioning US aid to Pakistan.
Nick-named as "Mad Dog" Mattis, the retired general told lawmakers that Pakistan has "learned some hard lessons" because of its dealings with the Afghan Taliban, as violence in that country reflects.
"I believe they should do more to collaborate with their neighbour. We should urge Pakistan to take further actions against the Taliban and the Haqqani network," Mattis said.
"Sanctuaries and freedom of movement for the Afghan Taliban and associated militant networks inside Pakistani territory is a key operational issue faced by the Afghan security forces," he said, responding to a query.
Haqqani network, which is linked to al-Qaeda, has been blamed for several deadly attacks against Western and Indian interests in Afghanistan, including the 2008 bombing of the Indian mission in Kabul.
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