Pak-Afghan armies discuss border situation via hotline

Relations between the two countries deteriorated following a series of attacks in the country in February

ISLAMABAD: Senior military officials from Pakistan and Afghanistan on Tuesday spoke by a ‘hotline’ in a first such contact since the mechanism was established last year as part of efforts to ensure better communication and coordination between the two countries.

“First hotline communication took place between Chief of Staff, Southern Command, Pakistan Army and Lt General Daud Shah Wafadar, Commander Afghan National Army 205 Corps,” the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement.

“Both sides discussed issues related to Pak-Afghan border, expressed satisfaction over establishment of hotline communication and vowed to continue such interactions in future,” the official handout read.

The development came amid renewed efforts by the two countries to repair their strained ties. The top military commanders spoke to each other just days after high-level talks in London attended by Prime Minister’s Adviser on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz and Afghan National Security Adviser Hanif Atmar.

The talks brokered by UK concluded with an agreement on a roadmap to address a series of issues including ‘terrorist sanctuaries’ along the Pak-Afghan border.

 



Relations between the two neighbours have been tense for months primarily because of growing mistrust over the issue of how to deal with the problem of militancy. Both sides accused the other for sponsoring terrorism.

Their ties hit a new low recently after the spate of terrorist attacks in Pakistan left over 130 people dead. Pakistan accused the Afghan based Jumaatul Ahrar responsible for the upsurge in terrorist attacks.

Islamabad handed over Kabul the list of 72 most wanted terrorists. Security forces also carried out attacks across the border and eliminated certain terrorist camps of anti-Pakistan militant groups.

Islamabad also closed down the border with Afghanistan for over a month in order to persuade Kabul to take action against ‘terrorist hideouts.’

The border was reopened as a result of talks in London.