Amid the atmosphere of mistrust and blame game over the border skirmishes and territorial violations, an Afghan security delegation and Pakistan military officials held a detailed meeting here on Thursday and came up with an agreement to work in a close unison in future to avoid misunderstandings adversely affecting mutual relations of the two neighbouring countries.
Both the sides further came up with the commitment not to allow their respective lands to be used for attacks against each other as well as against the other neigh bouring states. The Pak-Afghan director general military operations (DGMOs)-level talks at the GHQ concluded with a positive note. The meeting was attended by high-ranking military officials of both the countries amid the hopes that they would not allow their lands to be used for armed attacks on either side. According to the details released by Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR), a high-level eight-member delegation of the Afghan military arrived in Islamabad and visited the GHQ in Rawalpindi.
The Afghan delegation was led by Major-General Afzal Aman, director general military operation (DGMO), and comprised representatives from the Afghan National Security Council (NSC), military intelligence and the border police. The Pakistani side was headed by DGMO Major-General Amir Riaz. A detailed briefing was given on border coordination mechanism. The Issue of cross-border shelling, terrorist sanctuaries in Kunar and Nuristan provinces of Afghanistan and attack on Pakistani border villages and posts from those sanctuaries also came under discussion.
The Afghan delegation was told that Pakistan only fires back in self-defence when its border posts are attacked by terrorists from the Afghan territory and no indiscriminate firing is carried out from Pakistan’s side. The ISPR confirmed that the meeting was held in a cordial, congenial and professional atmosphere and both the sides agreed to build further trust, continue to talk under all circumstances and evolve a robust and effective border coordination mechanism. Both the sides also agreed to hold another meeting for which schedule is being finalised.
The delegation is expected to visit the Pak-Afghan border along with Pakistani military officials to assess the exact situation on the ground. Earlier on Wednesday, a Foreign Office official said during a media briefing that Pakistan would urge Afghan authorities to take action against Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) hideouts in its territory, especially in Kunar and Nuristan, and stop their operations from there. -nation
