US commander, Pakistani military leaders discuss security

Chief of the US Central Command Gen Lloyd Austin held talks on Wednesday with senior Pakistani military leaders on security issues, the military said.

The Centcom commander met Pakistan's Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Rashad Mahmood and Army Chief General Raheel Sharif at the army's headquarters in Rawalpindi.

The US Centcom commander appreciated the Pakistan Army's sacrifices in the war on terror for bringing peace to the country and the region, an army statement said.

He also "acknowledged the role played by the Pakistan Armed Forces in fighting the menace of terrorism".

The two sides also discussed matters of mutual interest and regional security, the statement said.

The visit came amidst tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan that have also led to the cancellation of Pakistan-brokered Afghan peace talks.

The US supports the peace talks and its senior officials attended the first round of talks near the Pakistani capital on July 7 as observers.

Sources said Afghanistan was also on the agenda of the talks between the Centcom commander and the Pakistani military leaders as both sides are in favour of the revival of the talks.

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani said his country will now itself hold the peace talks with the Taliban.