Pak-US need to deal together to destroy 'common enemy' Haqqani network: Panetta

Islamabad, June 30 (ANI): US Defence Secretary Leon Panetta has made it clear to Pakistan that both Washington and Islamabad need to work together to deal with the Taliban-linked Haqqani network.

Calling Haqqani network a 'common enemy', Panetta stressed that it is in the interests of Islamabad as well to take action against the Haqqani network, which is responsible for attacks on NATO forces based in Afghanistan.

"They (Pakistan) lost 17 Pakistanis on a patrol to the TTP. And so every day they too are the victims of terrorism," The News quoted Panetta, as saying.

"So we have a common enemy. It would make sense if we could work together to confront that common enemy," Panetta added.

According to the report, on the closure of NATO supply routes by Pakistan, Panetta said the US continues to have discussions with Islamabad on reopening of the ground lines of communication (GLOCs).

"There continue to be discussions in this area," Panetta said.

"We continue to have a line of communications with the Pakistanis to try to see if we can take steps to reopen the GLOCs. And you know, the good news is that there continue to be those discussions," he added. (ANI)