ISLAMABAD: The International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) and Afghan National Army came to an agreement with Pakistan on Tuesday for sharing intelligence between the respective forces and coordinated operations against militants in the mountainous border areas between Pakistan and Afghanistan.
The agreement comes as Pakistan pursues militants responsible for the Peshawar school massacre last week in which 149 people, including 133 children were killed.
The agreement came in a key meeting between Afghanistan Army Chief Gen Sher Mohammad Karimi, commander of US-led ISAF Gen John F Campbell and Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif at the General Headquarters in Rawalpindi on Tuesday.
The army chief and the Afghan army chief agreed that their commanders will begin meeting immediately to further coordinate border area security operations.
The meeting comes amid reports of a significant development against Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) sanctuaries of in Kunar and Nuristan provinces of Afghanistan.
The visit comes a week after General Raheel Sharif traveled to Kabul seeking decisive action against TTP sanctuaries including its fugitive commander Mullah Fazlullah in Afghanistan. His visit On December 16 immediately followed a devastating attack on an army-run school in Peshawar, in which the TTP killed 148 people, including 132 children.
Both Afghanistan and ISAF assured the army chief they would eliminate militant hideouts after General Raheel shared 'vital intelligence' linking the Peshawar school massacre with TTP sanctuaries.
Further, the visit is also followed by an operation against TTP in Kunar on Tuesday led by the Afghan National Army.
According to the Inter-Services Public Relations, the army chief welcomed the start of operation against TTP in the areas close to Pak-Afghan border.
The army chief vowed to extend full support to the visiting Afghan chief of general staff and ISAF commander in all spheres, including coordinated operations in respective areas by both sides and sharing of intelligence.
The trilateral meeting discussed the overall security situation in the region, matters relating to coordination on the Pak-Afghan border and protocols put in place to improve border control.
The Afghan army chief and ISAF commander also expressed grief over the dastardly Peshawar massacre and both leaders assured their full support in the fight against terrorism and eliminating terrorists on Afghan soil.
The top Afghan and US general also acknowledged that due to Operation Zarb-e-Azb terrorist networks have been degraded.
Gen. Campbell expressed his hope that Tuesday’s agreements will help develop a long-lasting security foundation necessary to promote peace for both countries. He further emphasised that the international coalition remains committed to working with Pakistan and Afghanistan on these issues, and others, on the basis of mutual interest and respect.
COMMENTS (12)
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The tri-lateral meeting between ISAF Commander Gen. Campbell, Afghan Army Chief Gen. Karimi and Pakistani COAS Gen. Shareef clearly indicates how determined our nations are to discuss the regional security and strive for bringing peace and stability to the region. As we have stated before there are pockets within the region where terrorists and militants have taken refuge and are planning their next moves. In order to eliminate them, we, U.S, Pakistan and Afghanistan, all need to cooperate with each other and improve on our coordination efforts. People, including women and children, are being targeted by these militants and at this point what religion, or nationality, they claim should not be our main concern. Terrorist organizations and militant groups are a threat to all peace-desiring people and should be treated as a common enemy.
Haroon Ahmad Digital Engagement Team - US CENTCOM
After the APS incident it was he who was the first to visit children in school, he methodically went one by one to children and touched them on their head or cheeks while consoling. He connected while the other (I don't want to mention his name) was in committee meeting and smiling when IK said Dharma was over.
EXCELLENT RAHEEL SHARIFF GOD HELP YOU TO GET RID OF THIS SATAN TTP.
Gen Raheel is doing the maximum but where r the so called leaders ? Where is Nawaz nd Imran? Does their duty is only to appease Taliban????
Perhaps the Afghan and American have come to pacify an angry Raheel as he did not get what he wanted when he visited Kabul a few days ago.
"Further, a meeting between the army chief and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is ongoing." Meeting is a waste of time and effort. It is wasted as NS is incapable of being brave.
Pak Fauj tujhe Salam
They came all the way to present progress report on operation against TTP. Was there anything on table about Haqani Terror Network & Quetta Shura? Pakistani media & leadership is silent on it. Is Imran Khan still supporting Jihad Afghanistan? Rather there are very dangerous signals coming out of media. Recent Penatgan spokesman statement not to target non combatant Taliban is related to Pakistan interest.
This is good start, I wish the bilateral cooperation continue in future as well and stop categorizing Taliban as bad and good, treat them equally who are killing innocent people on both sides of the border.
Raheel Sharif taking action! Nawaz Sharif forming committees and sub-committees.
good, COAS is trying his best to get out of terrorism conundrum
Raheel Sharif is the man!