Washington: US military officials have expressed growing "frustration" with Pakistan in their efforts to nab al-Qaida and Taleban terrorists, notwithstanding recent arrests of the terror networks' operatives in the country.

Lt Gen Daniel K McNeill, who is in charge of US operations in Afghanistan, said it was "curious" that "few" former Taleban leaders have been arrested in Pakistan and demanded more American involvement in joint operations conducted in the region bordering Afghanistan, according to a report in 'The Washington Post' daily on March 16.

He said the issue has been discussed with Pakistani military officials and "is a concern to me".

Stating that few bold steps should be taken in the US-Pak joint operations, he said the existing policies governing the activities in the border area do not permit "complementary operations" between the two sides.

"We have to take a few more bold steps before I would think we can initiate the kind of operations we ought to have," he said.

McNeill expressed hope that "based on the dialogue and co-ordination we have ongoing", an agreement could be reached.

US military officials, the paper said, have been eager to step up efforts to chase Taleban and al-Qaida operatives who fled the US-led military campaign in Afghanistan and found refuge in the tribal areas of Pakistan on the border where the government in Islamabad exerts limited control.

In a major catch after top al-Qaida leader Khalid Sheikh Mohammad, Pakistan authorities arrested key operative of the terror network Yasser al-Jazeeri in Lahore on March 16.

PTI