ISLAMABAD: Pakistani and Afghan security advisers on Wednesday reviewed the tension and ways to check the cross-border movement of terrorists.
Afghan National Security Adviser Hanif Atmar met his Pakistani counterpart Lt Gen (r) Nasser Janjua in Moscow on the sidelines of the 8th Russia Security Conference.
The meeting was held at a time when relations are tense over clashes along the Chaman border that caused casualties on both sides on May 5.
Pakistan had accused the Afghan forces of opening fire on a census team while Afghan officials claimed that the Pakistani troops had entered Afghanistan.
Pakistan closed Chaman crossing which remained shut on 20th consecutive day on Wednesday, bringing cross-border movement and trade activities to almost a standstill. Security officials have held a series of flag meetings but failed to sort out differences.
“NSA Atmar talked about issues along the Durand Line such as firing Rockets by Pak military, and building military basis on Afghan soil,” Atmar’s official Twitter said.
“Besides discussing the regional security and political issues, the two NSAs also discussed ways how to block the supply routes of terrorists,” it said.
No statement from the NSA office in Islamabad was issued until late Wednesday.
“MH Atmar in discussion with his Pakistani counterpart insisted on adhering to & implementing the agreements & decisions made at London Conference,” Atmar’s Twitter said.
The Afghan NSA did not offer any comments about the London’s conference decisions that were held in March with the mediation of the British national security adviser.
PM’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Sartaj Aziz had represented Pakistan in which both sides had agreed on a mechanism for interaction between political, military and intelligence officials. The recent visit to Kabul by Pakistan’s three delegations could be seen in line with the London’s meet understanding.
The London meeting had also discussed ways to make progress on the lists of the wanted militants both sides had exchanged in February after a series of terrorist attacks in Pakistan killed nearly 100 people.
The Pakistan Army had summoned Afghan diplomats to the GHQ and handed over a list of 76 terrorists, who officials insist operate from the Afghan side of the border.
In a tit for tat action, Afghan Envoy in Islamabad Omar Zakhilwal delivered a list of 80 Afghan and Haqqani Network leaders, who Kabul claims live in Pakistan. Zakhilwal also said his country had also shared addresses of some seminaries, which allegedly belonged to Afghan Taliban. No side has reported any progress on the lists and tensions could hamper bilateral cooperation on security issues. Kabul’s approach for a third party verification on the lists and the possible action by any side is seemed unacceptable to Pakistan.
Islamabad argues such proposal could invite foreign intervention and that both should deal with the issues bilaterally.
