US President George W Bush describe Pakistan yesterday as a major war on terrorism battleground, like Afghanistan or Iraq, and urged Islamabad to shoulder its "responsibility" to fight extremists.
Bush, in remarks prepared for delivery to the US National Defence University and released by the White House late Monday, was to say all three countries "pose unique challenges for our country" in the worldwide conflict.
"They are all theatres in the same overall struggle. In all three places, extremists are using violence and terror in an attempt to impose their ideology on whole populations," Bush said in the advance text.
His message came amid media reports of multiple strikes inside Pakistan recently by US or international troops based in Afghanistan, which accuses its neighbour of abetting or at least turning a blind eye to cross-border violence.
"Defeating these terrorist and extremists is in Pakistan's interest because they pose a mortal threat to Pakistan's future as a free and democratic nation," Bush said in the prepared remarks.
"Defeating these terrorist and extremists is also Pakistan's responsibility because every nation has an obligation to govern its own territory and make certain that it does not become a safe haven for terror," he said.
Bush, who leaves office in late January, said the United States and Nato would help Pakistan battle extremists, and expressed sorrow for any loss of innocent life, amid complaints in Pakistan and Afghanistan of civilian deaths.
"Regrettably, there will be times when our pursuit of the enemy will result in accidental civilian deaths. This has been the case throughout the history of warfare, yet our nation mourns every innocent life lost," Bush said.
"Every grieving family has the sympathy of the American people. And I have given (Afghan) President (Hamid) Karzai my word that America will work closely with the Afghan government to ensure the security of the Afghan people while protecting innocent life," said the US president.
Meanwhile, Pakistani troops backed by tanks yesterday killed at least seven Taliban militants in a restive tribal area bordering Afghanistan, officials said.
The troops confronted the rebels at Tang Khacca village in Bajaur tribal district after advancing towards their Loi Sam stronghold where they have occupied key government buildings for months, they said.
"Seven Taliban militants have been killed in a clash with security forces," a local administration official told AFP.
Paramilitary sources confirmed the militant toll in the latest clash and added that the forces had regained control over urban areas in Khar, the main town in Bajaur tribal district.