ISLAMABAD Americas top military officer visited the capital Tuesday, carrying what he called a strong sense of strategic impatience with the government here over its failure to clear insurgents from border safe havens where they prepare lethal attacks against American and allied forces in neighbouring Afghanistan. Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, stressed that the United States and Pakistan have common interests in combating insurgent and militant groups huddling in Pakistan. They are weakening the American-led military effort in the 9-year-old Afghanistan war against the Taliban and al Qaeda, and they are killing Pakistani civilians as they seek to undermine the government in Islamabad. Mike Mullen will meet with Pakistani Army Chief of Staff Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, US Ambassador to Pakistan Cameron Munter, and other US and Pakistani leaders. We will update each other and where we stand on certain issues, Mullen said, adding that he wants the Pakistani militarys take on what is happening in the region. In addition to his 21 trips here, Mullen also has met often with Pakistani leaders in Washington and elsewhere. The extremist organizations that are killing Pakistani nationals are a huge challenge to them, Admiral Mullen said during an interview with a small group of American correspondents. We all have a sense of urgency about this. We are losing people. The problem, he said, is how to manage the need to halt cross-border insurgent attacks while helping build Pakistans capabilities to battle domestic insurgents and to convince the Pakistan government that domestic terrorism is a greater threat than the one perceived from rival India. We want to solve it overnight, Admiral Mullen said. There is a strategic impatience on the part of myself and others. For the long-term relationship, there has got to be strategic patience. And there is a tension there. I think we both understand that. Admiral Mullen has sought to develop a relationship with COAS Gen. Ashfaq Parvez Kayani. To make this, his 21st trip to Pakistan as chairman, Admiral Mullen slipped away unannounced from a holiday tour in Iraq. It is also Admiral Mullens first visit to his Pakistani counterpart after embarrassing leaks of classified diplomatic cables revealed strong American criticisms of the Pakistani government and its intelligence service, the ISI. There arent any awkward times, he said. That doesnt mean there are not hard issues to address. Admiral Mullen said that administration and military officials continue to question the ISIs support for extremist organizations. But Admiral Mullen said those disagreements had not halted a range of cooperation with the CIA. Later Tuesday, speaking to members of the Pakistani press, Admiral Mullen denied reports that American combat troops had embedded with Pakistani units for military action inside the country. He said American military personnel in Pakistan are serving in a training and support role. Thats it. Thats where weve been. Thats where well be.