WASHINGTON: US President Barack Obama and his Afghan counterpart Hamid Karzai pledged to continue efforts to "keep the pressure on the Taliban" during a video conference Friday, the White House said.

During an hour-long conversation, the two leaders "agreed that the United States and Afghanistan should continue to work together to keep the pressure on the Taliban and to build Afghan capacity," a statement said.

"Both leaders also agreed to continue in our shared efforts to combat violent extremism, protect the Afghan people, improve governance, and deliver basic services, particularly at the local level."

The White House said the presidents also discussed upcoming Afghan parliamentary election, anti-corruption efforts, civilian casualties and regional relations, without providing further details.

The US envoy to Kabul, Karl Eikenberry, and the senior US military commander in Afghanistan, General David Petraeus participated in the call, the statement said.

The conversation came after The New York Times reported Friday that an Afghan operation to flush out the Taliban and showcase growing military competence has turned into a debacle, with many troops dead or captured and commanders pleading for help.

Citing a senior US official, the Times said the mission was not coordinated with NATO and ended with commanders calling for backup after at least 10 Afghan soldiers were killed and another 20 were captured.

BDST:12:53 HRS, August 14, 2010