General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, the Chief of Army Staff of the Pakistan Army today met with General John R. Allen, the commander of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF).

The main focus of the meeting was to build operational cooperation among the Afghan National Army (ANA), the Pakistani Army, and the ISAF. The meeting went ahead, even as the situation remained tense along the Pak-Afghan border, due to intermittent shelling between the two sides.

ISAF is concerned about the recent worsening of the diplomatic and military relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan, over cross border attacks by militant groups. Militants based in the Afghan province of Konar have launched a series of attacks against the Pakistani security forces during the past few weeks, resulting in the deaths of dozens of Pakistani servicemen and civilians.

Pakistan has accused the Afghan authorities of turning a blind eye to the presence of anti-Pakistani elements in its territory. Meanwhile, the Afghans claim that thousands of people have been made homeless so far in Kunar, due to the Pakistani cross border shelling.

Pakistani officials informed the media that they have raised the issue of cross border attacks originating from Kunar, during their meeting with the ISAF chief. Earlier the ISAF authorities had claimed that they had responded immediately, whenever the Pakistani Armed Forces informed them of cross-border movement by militant groups. Pakistani officials claimed that a total of 15 cross border attacks have occurred against their border posts during the past 12 months, resulting in more than 100 deaths among its nationals.

After his meeting with the ISAF chief, Gen Kayani claimed that the discussions have helped to improve the mutual understanding between the two sides. Allen, on the other hand said that he is pleased with the meeting, and similar events are needed to cement the relationship between the ISAF and Pakistan.