Petraeus: Taliban militants threaten existence of Pakistan, but US feels nuclear weapons safe

Petraeus: Taliban threaten existence of Pakistan

WASHINGTON — The head of the U.S. Central Command says Taliban militants are a “true threat” to the existence of Pakistan. But Gen. David Petraeus (peh-TRAY’-uhs) says he is confident that Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal is safe from militants.

Petraeus also is claiming that Taliban brutality in northwestern Pakistan has “galvanized” the entire country, including its military, behind the recently launched offensive against the militant organization.

Pakistan says it has 175,000 forces fighting into the rugged and mountainous region to defeat Taliban fighters who had taken over after been driven out Afghanistan by U.S.-led forces.

Petraeus spoke on “Fox News Sunday.”