Pakistan-Afghan authorities meet to resolve border tensions

A delegation of Afghan army officials, headed by Director General Military Operations (DGMO) Afghan National Army Major General Afzal Aman, visited Monday Pakistani General Headquarters (GHQ) and met Major General Ashfaq Nadeem Ahmed, Director General Military Operations Pakistan Army for talks over Border coordination. The Afghan military delegation met the Pakistan military officials in Rawalpindi city to discuss the cross border coordination issues on Monday. According to a press release issued by Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR), all ongoing Cross Border Coordination issues including Border Post construction in Mohmand Agency were discussed and amicably resolved. Both sides agreed on continuation of such bilateral interactions to enhance bilateral border coordination and reduce space for detractors, the press release added. The Durand Line is the 1893 British-mandated border between the two countries, which is recognized by Pakistan, but not by Afghanistan. Afghanistan believes that both countries must approve activity by either side along the Durand Line. The Afghan officials blamed Pakistan for building up a check post in Mohmand Agency. The Afghan President Hamid Karzai, on Sunday told his top officials to take immediate action to remove the gate and other Pakistani military installations near the Durand Line. Afghan defense ministry spokesman said on Monday that "establishing a gate by Pakistan on the Durand Line and inside Afghanistan is against all international norms."