U.S., Taliban officials visit Pakistan after stalled peace talks

Oct. 2 (UPI) -- Representatives of the Taliban and United States met with Pakistani government officials in Islamabad Wednesday, amid peace talks aimed at ending the 18-year American presence that have dragged on for months.

Taliban founder Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar said the insurgent group was in Pakistan to address "important issues," as was Zalmay Khalilzad, the U.S. special envoy for peace talks. It wasn't clear, however, whether they would meet with each other.

Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan has said he would talk to U.S. President Donald Trump about resuming peace talks after they abruptly ended last month. Before they did, plans called for a gradual withdrawal of U.S. forces in exchange for security guarantees from the Taliban -- including a pledge to keep terrorists out of Afghanistan.

Peace negotiations, however, have been tricky. Although U.S. and Taliban officials have met, the group refuses to deal with the Afghan government -- and Kabul has insisted it be part of any resolution.

"We have objected to being part of the negotiations and not being a central part of this discussion," Afghan national security adviser Hambullah Mohib said. "Also if we want to see peace in Afghanistan, the Afghan government must be at the forefront of any negotiations."

Fighting in Afghanistan, meanwhile, has intensified this week. Officials said Taliban attacks in Taluqan have killed more than 30 people and displaced dozens of families. Takhar government spokesman Mohammad Jawad Hijri said other airstrikes have killed 36 Taliban and security forces are successfully repelling fighters.