Pakistan on Wednesday told the highest ranking military official of the United States that violations of its border and airspace by international forces in Afghanistan, including attacks on its northwestern tribal areas, were unacceptable.
This was conveyed to Admiral Michael Mullen, the Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, during his meetings with the top Pakistani defence and military leadership, official sources were quoted as saying by the Dawn News channel.
Mullen, who arrived in Islamabad on Tuesday, is making his third visit to Pakistan since February, against the backdrop of growing concerns in the US administration over the Pakistan government's peace talks with the local Taliban.
In recent months, Pakistan's tribal areas have witnessed several attacks on suspected Taliban and militant strongholds by pilotless planes or drones operated by US forces in Afghanistan. Pakistan has lodged strong protests over these attacks, saying the American forces should provide it intelligence on the militants so that Pakistani forces can carry out operations against the rebels.
Mullen met the Prime Minister's National Security Advisor Mahmud Ali Durrani, army chief General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Tariq Majid. An official statement said Durrani discussed regional and security issues with Mullen.
During his meeting with Mullen, Majid called for more effective border control measures by the coalition forces in Afghanistan. The two commanders also exchanged views on regional security. Kayani and Mullen discussed the prevailing security situation along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border and the peace deals between local Taliban and Pakistani authorities.
Kayani said the peace deals will not affect Pakistan's ongoing cooperation with the US in the war on terror and that no compromises will be made with hardline militants.
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