WASHINGTON: The Pentagon has claimed that terrorist groups like Taliban and the Haqqani network retain freedom of action from inside Pakistani territory.

“Afghan-oriented militant groups, including Taliban and Haqqani network senior leadership, retain freedom of action from safe havens inside Pakistani territory,” the Pentagon said, while asserting that the US has been clear in urging Islamabad to deny safe havens to terror outfits.

“The United States continues to be clear with Pakistan about steps it should take to improve the security environment and deny safe havens to terrorist and extremist groups,” it said in its six-monthly report to the Congress here on Saturday.

The United States Department of Defense, in its report running into nearly 100 pages, said the Afghanistan-Pakistan border region remains a sanctuary for various groups.

“These include the Taliban, al-Qaeda, AQIS, Haqqani network, Lashkar-e-Taiba, Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), ISIL-K, and the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan,” it said, adding, “This sanctuary and these groups remain a security challenge for both countries and pose a threat to regional stability and security.”

The Pentagon said that of the groups involved in the Taliban-led insurgency, the Haqqani network remains the greatest threat to US, coalition and Afghan forces and continues to be a critical enabler of al-Qaeda.

“Haqqani Network leader Sirajuddin Haqqani’s role as Taliban deputy has solidified Haqqani influence within the Taliban,” it said in the report.

Pentagon further added in its report that although al Qaeda’s core leadership in the Afghanistan-Pakistan border region has been degraded, elements continue to seek safe haven on both sides of the border to regenerate and conduct attack planning.