Pakistan: "terrorists" establish safe heavens in border region

The Pakistan army on Wednesday told a visiting Afghan military delegation that "terrorists" launch cross-border attacks from their safe heavens and that intelligence about their bases has been shared with the Afghan authorities. The Afghan delegation was briefed that problem stems from terrorists' safe havens in Afghan provinces of Kunar and Nuristan, about which intelligence has been repeatedly shared with Afghan authorities, the army said. The Afghan army delegation headed by Major General Afzal Aman visited the General Headquarters of the Pakistan army for a meeting to discuss the Pak-Afghan border situation in view of cross-border attacks. The issue of alleged cross border artillery fire by Pakistan into Afghanistan was discussed in detail, an army statement said. Responding to the Afghan government's statements about Pakistani rockets fire into Afghanistan, the statement said that Afghan military officials were told that the Pakistan army only fires when its border villages or posts are physically attacked by terrorists in a large number from their safe havens. Director General of Military Operations Major General Ishfaq Nadeem Ahmad said there is absolutely no possibility of indiscriminate fire by the Pakistan Army. Other border related issues also came under discussion, the statement said. Both sides agreed on continuation of such bilateral interactions which shall enhance bilateral border coordination and reduce space for detractors. General Nadeem thanked the Afghan delegation for accepting the invitation for the meeting. He reiterated Pakistan's stance that a peaceful, stable and united Afghanistan is in the interest of Pakistan. The Afghan government has claimed that Pakistani security forces fire rockets into the Afghan territory which has displaced hundreds of people.