WASHINGTON, Aug 5: The United States has rejected the possibility of the existence of Taliban training camps inside Pakistan, pointing out that Islamabad has undertaken "extensive operations" against terrorists "sometimes at the loss of life".

The strong expression of support for Pakistan followed a series of stories in the US media recently which suggested that there still were active Taliban training camps in Pakistan.

"What we've seen is a very strong Pakistani effort to eradicate sources of extremism in Pakistan, to eradicate any support that might be found in Pakistan for Taliban and Al Qaeda elements," said State Department spokesman Richard Boucher while disagreeing with the claim.

He pointed out that the stories about these training camps were based on interviews with people who were already in police custody in Pakistan, "and I'm sure any locations that they identify, the Pakistanis would want to move against."

This unusually strong defence for Pakistan from a key policy- making body of the US administration comes amid allegations, both by the media and opposition lawmakers, that recent arrests of Al Qaeda suspects in Pakistan were aimed at boosting President Bush's chances for re-election.

It was in this context that recent reports in the US media claimed that while making a big show of Al Qaeda arrests, Pakistan was quietly allowing other terrorist groups to function within its borders.

But Mr Boucher rejected this claim as incorrect. "I think it's quite clear the Pakistani government has turned on the Taliban, has turned on Al Qaeda, has turned on any idea that (these) people might receive training or support from Pakistan."

"Indeed, (Pakistan) has undertaken extensive operations, sometimes at the loss of life to act on those policy decisions," he added. By allowing people in its custody to talk to journalists, the Pakistani government had shown its desire to exposing the activities of these terrorists and also had taken steps to eradicate any possible sources of support or training inside Pakistan, he said.

The State Department spokesman also rejected the suggestion that Washington should launch a major operation to catch all terrorists hiding in Pakistan. The United States, he said, was already working closely with Pakistan to support "the real efforts" they've been making against terrorism.

"There's no question that Pakistan has changed its policy and is determined to root out the elements of training or support or any other sort of safe haven that terrorists might be getting in Pakistan," he said.

"We've seen them taking concerted and difficult actions. We've seen a loss of life among Pakistani soldiers involved in this fight," he added. Referring to recent arrests of Al Qaeda operatives in Pakistan, Mr Boucher said: "They've been able to pick up even more Al Qaeda figures. I think the kind of effort that Pakistan is making and the results of those efforts that make all of us safer are becoming more and more clear."

The spokesman also disagreed with the chairman of the 9/11 Commission who said last week that the three most dangerous nations to watch are Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan, and Pakistan.

"We ourselves don't put out lists of the three most dangerous nations. What we have done is to work with many, many nations to ensure that nowhere is safe for the terrorists," said Mr Boucher while explaining the Bush administration's policy on this issue.

"And by working diplomatically with Pakistan, with Saudi Arabia, with Sudan, with Libya, (and) with Yemen," the United States has been able take away the places where terrorists could live and train.

Asked if the United States would provide similar protection to workers from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh as it would to workers from its allies in Iraq, the spokesman said: "We can't promise protection to every worker that goes there. We all know that. That's the nature of the circumstances. It is a dangerous place."

But to create a more secure environment in Iraq, the United States would work with the Iraqis, "training them up, helping them provide security for their country the way they wish to."