Army chiefs of US, Pakistan discuss regional security, defense cooperation

By Aamir Latif

KARACHI, Pakistan (AA) – Commander of the United States Central Command (CENTCOM), Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla, on Thursday met with Pakistan's Army chief Gen. Asim Munir to discuss a variety of issues related to regional security and defense cooperation between the two allies.

The meeting was held during Kurilla's visit to the army headquarters, commonly known as General Headquarters or the GHQ, in the northeastern garrison city of Rawalpindi, said a statement from the military mouthpiece, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).

The meeting, which coincided with the latest round of clashes between Pakistani and Afghan troops on the southwestern Chaman border, was followed by a delegation-level huddle.

“Matters of mutual interest, regional stability and security situation, defense and security cooperation particularly military to military ties were discussed during the meeting,” the statement said.

The CENTCOM chief, it added, acknowledged Pakistan’s achievements in the fight against terrorism, relief and rescue operations during recent super floods, and contributions to regional peace.

Earlier, an army contingent presented a guard of honor to Kurilla, who also laid a floral wreath at the "Martyrs’ Monument" in honor of Pakistani soldiers fallen in the war against terrorism.

Later, Kurilla visited the northwestern Torkham border, one of the two major crossings with neighboring Afghanistan, where he was briefed on "counter-terrorism and border management mechanisms in place along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border."