Afghanistan Times
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AT Monitoring Desk-KABUL: US Defense Secretary, Ashton Carter in a meeting with Pakistan Army Chief, Gen. Raheel Sharif in Washington discussed the ongoing situation in Afghanistan including Pakistan’s role in counterterrorism campaign, the Pentagon reported.
Briefing newsmen the Pentagon Press Secretary, Peter Cook, said that Carter and Raheel discussed situation in Afghanistan, including border issues. However, he said that stable situation was in the interest of the two neighboring countries.
Responding to a query, Cook said the United States feel it necessary to go after terrorist groups that pose serious threat to the US and its forces stationed in Afghanistan.
“Haqqani Network and other terrorist groups are not only posing threat to Afghanistan but also to Pakistan,” he responded to a query asked by reporter regarding presence of terrorist networks in both countries. He furthered that Carter and Raheel talked on methods how to take concrete action against Haqqani and other terror networks.
Gen. Joseph Dunford, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff who was also present in the meeting, discussed security-related issues with Gen. Raheel. The leaders also highlighted Pakistani counterterrorism operations in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA).
While appreciated Pakistan for its ongoing counterterrorism efforts in tribal areas (FATA), Dunford also termed cooperation between Afghanistan and Pakistan important.
“Terrorism not only pose threat to Pakistan, but also pose to its neighbor Afghanistan and that’s why continued cooperation is important for them,” Cook said.
