Taleban hiding in Pakistan to be targeted

Many of the Taleban's key leaders are thought to be hiding in Pakistan, and the threat of military strikes could be used to pressure fighters to negotiate.

"The message is that people who want to take part in the peace process should have the way cleared for them," said Mohammad Masoom Stanekzai, secretary of a peace council set up by Afghanistan's president Hamid Karzai.

"To those that think war is the only means to reach their goals, there should not be a hide-out for them to continue their war."

Stanekzai spoke after president Karzai returned from a visit to Pakistan's capital.

US CIA Director Leon Panetta also spoke separately with senior Pakistani officials about intelligence sharing and efforts to reconcile with the Taleban during the visit.