Several countries have contact with Haqqanis: ISPR

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RAWALPINDI: The Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) has contacts with Haqqani network but it does not mean that Pakistan Army supports the network, said ISPR spokesman on Saturday night.

Major General Athar Abbas in a statement said that ISI has contacts with the Haqqani group but it does not mean that it supports the network.

Major Abbas said having contacts with any group just for the sake of peace was entirely different from supporting anyone. He added that maintaining ties with rival groups was necessary for intelligence agencies.

Pakistan is not the only country, which has contacts with Haqqani network, he said, adding; "We have solid information that several countries have contacts with the group."

He said dens of Haqqani network were in Nooristan and Kunar provinces of Afghanistan.

He added that any unilateral US operation inside Pakistan would provoke severe anti-America sentiments.