WASHINGTON: US again pushed Pakistan to put pressure on Haqqani Network to stop its activities, Tuesday.

During a daily press briefing, US State Department's spokesman Patrick Ventrell said the Haqqani Network made 'heinous attacks' against Afghan civilians and Americans, adding that they want them to be stopped.

PRESSURE HAQANI

During the one-hour meeting after Tokyo conference, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton urged Pakistan Foreign Minster Hina Rabbani Khar to put pressure on the Haqqani network, said a senior U.S. official, who acknowledged that it was unclear whether Pakistan would step up its counter-terrorism efforts.

"In terms of counterterrorism, my answer is we'll see," the official told reporters on condition of anonymity.

"In many ways, the fact that the (land routes) were closed was getting in the way of a lot of conversation with Pakistan. Now that (they) are open, we have an opportunity, it seems to me, to go back into business with them and counter-terrorism is one of those areas. So, we'll see," he added.

Washington wants Islamabad to bring the Haqqani network into talks, but is wary of exerting too much pressure on Pakistan and further straining ties.

US authorities have repeatedly pressed the Government of Pakistan to take action against the Haqqani network, an insurgent group that has been accused of several attacks on US-led and coalition forces in Afghanistan and is believed to have bases on both sides of the Durand line.