Counter-terrorism: General Kayani warns Afghanistan against cross-border activities

Pak-Saudi armed forces carry out joint military exercises in Mangla.

Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Pervaiz Kayani issued a warning to Afghanistan on Thursday to stop cross-border activities in Pakistan.

Addressing a Pak-Saudi joint military exercise programme in Mangla, Kayani asserted that no such activities would be tolerated and that Pakistan “possesses the capability to respond to any situation”.

Last month, Pakistan lodged a formal protest with the Afghan government over cross-border attacks emanating from Kunar and Nuristan  provinces in Afghanistan  against Pakistani check posts.

During the address, the Army chief said the people of Pakistan and Saudi Arabia share a deep and strong friendship, adding that the objective of the ongoing joint exercises was to improve counter-terrorism.

Kayani also said that military operations were not the ideal solution for every problem, adding that the global community was well aware of this fact.

Military exercise

The Pak-Saudi joint military exercises were part of a larger attempt to provide the opportunity to troops from both sides to benefit from each other’s training experiences. Kayani and the Saudi chief were also present to monitor the exercises.

During the session, armed forces from both countries successfully carried out training drills to improve and enhance counter-terrorism strategies. The drill is part of three-week joint military exercise programme which aims at sharing information through inclusive training. The session will also include collective training at the unit and brigade level to observe drills and procedures in low intensity conflict operations.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 7^th, 2011.