Army has contacts with Haqqani network: ISPR

Director General Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) Major General Athar Abbas has said that Pakistan Army has contacts with Haqqani network but this does not mean it supports Haqqani network. Talking to an American TV channel, the ISPR spokesman said that Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) - has contacts with Haqqani group but it does not mean that it supports the group.
According to him, maintaining ties with opposing groups was necessary for intelligence agencies. Pakistan is not only country that has contacts with Haqqani network, he said and added that, "we have solid information that several countries have contacts with Haqqani network." He said dens of Haqqani network were in Nooristan and Kunar provinces of Afghanistan. He said any unilateral US operation in Pakistan would provoke severe anti-US sentiments.