Afghan, Pakistani Defense Officials Discuss Military Cooperation

Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari

ISLAMABAD -- Afghan and Pakistani defense officials are discussing bilateral military cooperation, including the prospects of having the Afghan National Army trained by Pakistani military specialists.

Afghan Defense Minister Bismillah Muhammadi is on the first day of a five-day visit to Pakistan.

Sources with Pakistan's Inter-Services Public Relations told RFE/RL's Radio Mashaal that the talks between the military delegations in Rawalpindi included Pakistan's Army Chief of Staff Ashfaq Pervez Kayani.

Muhammadi also met on January 28 with Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari.

Relations between the two countries have been strained in recent months over allegations of cross-border attacks.

Afghanistan accuses Pakistani forces of shelling border areas in the eastern Kunar and Nooristan provinces, killing a number of local residents.

Islamabad has rejected the accusations.