According to a statement issued by US Embassy in Islamabad, which has been carried by several Pakistani newspapers, US National Security Adviser Gen (Retd) James L. Jones exchanged views with the Pakistani civilian and military leadership on Thursday on operational details and timing of the intensified counter-insurgency operation in Afghanistan and its synchronisation with the military offensive against extremists in Pakistan.

Gen Jones' visit was for discussing current challenges confronting Pakistan and coordinating efforts with the Pakistan government in implementing the new shared comprehensive strategy,' said a statement issued by the US embassy on the conclusion of his two-day visit during which he met President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, Chief of Army Staff Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani and other government officials.

Apart from Washington's keenness to engage with Islamabad, sources said, Gen Jones' visit bore all marks of a 'micro-management model' which hitherto was missing from the relationship between the two allies.

The top US security official praised Pakistan's military operation against militants as 'tremendous confidence-builder for the future'. He indicated that Pakistan's renewed resolve against militancy infused great optimism in Washington about the success of the fight against militancy.

He said the action had generated goodwill for Pakistan in the US, adding that terrorism was a shared threat. 'Terrorism is not simply the enemy of America - it is a direct and urgent threat to the Pakistani people,' he said.