ISLAMABAD: A high-level security meeting of commanders from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Resolute Support Mission held in Rawalpindi on Friday discussed measures to defeat the Islamic State militant group and improve military-to-military coordination and cooperation.
The Afghan delegation was led by Director General Military Operations Major General Habib Hesari. Deputy Chief of Staff Major General Christopher Haas represented Resolute Support Mission while Pakistan was represented by DGMO Major General Sahir Shamshad Mirza.
During the trilateral meeting, the delegates stressed upon the need to defeat Islamic State through coordinated efforts in respective areas of operations.
Separately, a two-star level meeting held between senior military officials of Pakistan and Afghanistan discussed the measures for improving military-to-military coordination and cooperation, the military’s media wing said. The Afghan delegation was led by DGMO Major General Habib Hesari while Pakistan was represented by DGMO Major General Sahir Shamshad Mirza.
“The Chaman incident, border control and management and measures to curb cross-border fire violations were also discussed,” read the statement issued by Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).
According to ISPR, both sides reportedly agreed to enhance frequency of bilateral interactions at multiple tiers ‘through different command and staff channels to foster an environment of mutual respect, trust, cordiality and cooperation’.
In a related development, Pakistani and Iranin officials met at the border town of Taftan on Friday morning to step up bilateral cooperation against the threat of terror attacks and ensure legal movement along the shared 900-kilometre-long border. The officials resolved to carry out an inspection of the site where a recent border skirmish between armed militants and Iranian military personnel resulted in the deaths of 10 Iranian soldiers, a security official said on condition of anonymity. Chaghi Deputy Commissioner Shahak Baloch led the Pakistani delegation while the Iranian delegation was led by Colonel Najaf Safri.
The meeting, which continued for almost six hours, resulted in an agreement between the two delegations to continue contacts and ensure better coordination to avert any untoward incident in future.
The meeting took place under strict security arrangements at Taftan. In addition to Levies forces, Frontier Corps personnel were also deployed in the area in an effort to ensure a smooth and peaceful exchange between the two delegations.
After the April 26 incident that resulted in the death of 10 Iranian soldiers, Iran warned Pakistan of potential military strikes aimed at terrorist ‘safe havens’ on the Pakistani side of the border. Tensions further escalated as an Iranian brigadier called on Pakistan to ‘take responsibility’ for its alleged role in the April 26 attack.
