General John Nicholson, the commander of US forces in Afghanistan said the United States held a series of private talks with Pakistani officials about the elimination of insurgent sanctuaries in Pakistan. 
 
He said the recent pressure applied to Pakistan has not resulted in the reduction of violence in Afghanistan, but he reiterated that Washington will take other steps to cut the aid coming from Pakistan to the Taliban and other groups. 

Head of Hizb-e-Islami Gulbuddin Hekmatyar on Monday addressed his supporters in Jalalabad in Nangarhar province and called on the Taliban to accept government’s peace offer. 

Hekmatyar said wise people would not reject such a good offer.