PM chairs high-level meeting to discuss security situation

Army chief, DG ISI Zaheerul Islam and DG ISI-designate Rizwan Akhtar were also in attendance

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is currently chairing a meeting to discuss the external and internal security situation of the country at the PM House in Islamabad.

The meeting has been convened to discuss the recent border clashes between India and Pakistan and the progress in the ongoing Operation Zarb-e-Azb.

The meeting is attended by Army Chief General Raheel Sharif, DG ISI Zaheerul Islam, DG ISI designate Rizwan Akhtar, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar and Adviser to PM on National Security Sartaj Aziz.

At least 12 people have been killed since India resorted to ‘unprovoked’ firing on the border. The Pakistan Army has repeatedly affirmed that they have replied “befittingly” to the heavy firing and mortar shelling. However, the government has urged that the matter be resolved through dialogue between the two nuclear-armed neighbours.

Ceasefire violations on the Line of Control (LoC) and working boundary between India and Pakistan although common have been unusual in their intensity and frequency this time.

Further, the military offensive launched in North Waziristan against militants on June 15 is also being discussed in the meeting. According to an Inter Services Public Relations statement, 21 militants were killed in Tirah Valley, Khyber Agency on Thursday.