Philadelphia, Jan 27 : Former President Pervez Musharraf has urged the United States to pressurize India and Pakistan to resolve all longstanding issues including the Kashmir dispute.

Speaking at the Franklin Institute, Musharraf was of the view that Kashmir and other disputes between both archrivals were the root cause of extremism in the region.

"Radicalism can never be abolished from the region until the resolution of Kashmir dispute and other differences between India and Pakistan," he said.

Musharraf termed it legitimate and the need of hour to use the army in overcoming terrorism, but added that army operations alone cannot succeed in exterminating terrorism.

The News quoted Musharraf as saying that the substantial and swift growth of extremism in India was due to violent incidents in Gujarat and the Babri Mosque tragedy.

Extremism in India cannot be ignored, he added.

Discussing disgraced Pakistani scientist Dr. A Q Khan's home confinement; Musharraf said Dr. Khan is the hero of the common man as he turned Pakistan into a nuclear power. (ANI)