Afghan army chief says Pak 'complicit' in US drone strikes

The chief of the Afghan army has said Pakistan is complicit in US drone strikes, despite its condemnation of the anti-militant campaign.

In an interview with BBC's Today programme, General Sher Mohammad Karimi said that US has not started drone attacks on its own, arguing Pakistan had given the lists of militants to the super power it wants taken out.

In reference to one of the most feared Afghan insurgent groups, Karimi said the drones are used against those Taliban who are part of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). The drones are never used against Haqqani or Afghan Taliban, Express Tribune reports.

Karmi also added that fighting in Afghanistan could be stopped in weeks if Pakistan told the Taliban to end the insurgency.

He said Pakistan controlled and gave shelter to Taliban leaders, who are deliberately sending fighters to Afghanistan.

He added that if Pakistan put pressure on Taliban leadership or convinced them that could of great help.

A Nato report leaked in April revealed that Pakistan was aware that Taliban leaders were taking refuge within its borders.

The report added that senior Taliban figures such as Nasiruddin Haqqani were living close to ISI headquarters in Islamabad.

It was based on the interrogations of 27,000 captured Taliban, al-Qaeda and foreign fighters as well as civilians.

Pakistan has however consistently denied having any influence over the Taliban.