Gen. Kayani, ISAF top general discuss border coordination

Gen. Joseph F. Dunford, the commander of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) met Pakistan’s army chief, General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani and discussed coordination along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, the military and ISAF said.

The meeting held in the army’s headquarters in the garrison city of Rawalpindi, an army statement said.

The statement did not give further details of the meeting, which was second of the two army generals in less than two months.

ISAF also issued a statement which said that the two leaders met  as part of the continuing effort to strengthen cooperation and regional stability.

This was Dunford’s second visit to Pakistan as the commander of ISAF.  During the session today, the two leaders discussed a variety of issues related to strengthening cooperation and pressuring militants who threaten security along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border.

“Today’s meeting was part of an ongoing dialogue to address security challenges of mutual concern.  Communication and cooperation between ISAF, Pakistan, and Afghanistan is critical for regional stability,” Dunford said.

Dunford also congratulated Kayani and the Pakistani security forces for their contributions to successful completion of national elections May 11.

The meeting took place amid tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan over the alleged Pakistani construction of check posts on the Afghan side of the border.

Pakistan denies Afghan claim and insists that their forces have renovated its old post on own side.

The tensions caused clashes in recent weeks, that killed an Afghan soldier and injured several Pakistani border troops.

The tensions are a matter of concerns for the U.S. and its western allies as they are formulating exit strategy.

Pakistan says that the Pakistani militants who had fled to Afghanistan after operations in the tribal regions and Swat valley have regrouped their fighters for attacks on Pakistani border posts and villages.

Afghan authorities also claimed that Pakistani forces fire rockets into its border regions.

Short URL: https://www.newspakistan.pk/?p=40367

Posted by Tahir Khan on May 25 2013. Filed under Latest News, National, Pakistan. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.