"Based in, and operating from Pakistan, Haqqani network remains the most virulent strain of the insurgency. It presents one of the greatest risks to Coalition forces, and it continues to be an al-Qaeda facilitator," said General John Campbell, Commander of US and NATO forces in Afghanistan.
Haqqani network shares the Taliban goal of expelling Coalition forces, overthrowing the Afghan government, and re-establishing an extremist state, he told members of the Senate Armed Services Committee during a Congressional hearing on the situation in Afghanistan.
"So we've got to continue to keep the pressure on and make sure that Afghanistan - make sure that Pakistan understands that there is a common enemy here that Afghanistan and Pakistan should work together and terrorism knows no boundaries. So they have to work at that together," the top general said in response to a question.
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He asked Pakistan to take stronger action against the Haqqani network - blamed for some of the deadliest attacks in Afghanistan, including the Indian embassy bombing and the attack on Kabul Serena Hotel in 2008 - and its safe havens inside its territory.
Campbell said Haqqani continues to be a big threat, not only against the coalition but also the Afghan people.
"Haqqani are the ones that are traditionally responsible for the high-profile attacks, the VBIEDs, the vehicle-borne IEDs, the suicide vests. Haqqani are the ones that attack innocent civilians," he said.
"On reconciliation, I think Pakistan understands that," he said, adding that Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and the leadership inside of Pakistan have talked several times about reconciliation, moving forward.
"I think both President Ghani and Pakistan understand there has to be some sort of political resolution to this fight," he said.
Senator John McCain said Pakistan is waiting for a US decision, while hedging its bets with individuals and groups that are hostile to the American interests.