KABUL, AUG 27 (DNA) – Gen John W. Nicholson, the commander of US Forces and NATO in Afghanistan, claimed on Saturday that the United States is aware of the Afghan Taliban leadership’s presence in Quetta and Peshawar cities of Pakistan.

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

According to him, the issue of sanctuaries was a serious one and one that needed to be addressed.

On whether a diplomatic solution could be found, he said this was a possibility but that a significant military effort inside the country would be carried out and that together the US would work with the Afghan government to increase its military capabilities.

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

Nicholson made it clear that the US and NATO stand by the Afghan security forces against terrorists and enemies of Afghanistan and said that the Taliban cannot win on the battlefield. “It’s time for them to join the peace process,” he stressed.=DNA

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