Pakistan reported helping Taliban

WASHINGTON, March 26 (UPI) -- Pakistan is offering direct support to the Taliban's southern Afghanistan campaign despite vowing to sever ties, U.S. aides say.

U.S. government officials told The New York Times the support consists of money, military supplies and strategic planning guidance.

The help is reportedly directed at Taliban commanders preparing to face the international force in Afghanistan, which is to be enhanced with an additional 17,000 U.S. reinforcements.

U.S. officials offered reported proof of the ties between the Taliban and Pakistani from electronic surveillance and trusted informants, the Times said.

Officials told the newspaper support for the Taliban, as well as other militant groups, is coordinated by operatives inside Pakistan's spy agency.