Af-Pak military and intel ties have improved: Report
23 March 2013 6:17 AM IST
A secret visit to Pakistan by the acting chief of the Afghan intelligence service last year has led to improved ties between the military and intelligence agencies of the two countries, according to a media report on Friday.
The visit in December by Hassamuddin Hassam, acting head of the National Directorate of Security, was an apparent indication of the two sides narrowing their strategic differences, the Dawn newspaper quoted its sources as saying.
Hassam visited Islamabad after a suicide attack targeting NDS chief Assadullah Khalid. The Afghan government had claimed the attack was planned in Quetta and President Hamid Karzai had accused an unnamed foreign intelligence agency of having masterminded it.
Though Hassam’s visit primarily focused on the investigations into the attack on Khalid, it also led to improved relations between the military and intelligence agencies of the two countries, the report contended. Two Afghan nationals were arrested by Pakistani authorities in connection with the suicide attack.
The Dawn quoted its sources as saying that the Afghan spy agency was satisfied by the investigation and cooperation by Pakistan.
Information about Hassam's visit was provided to the Standing Committee on Defence of the Senate or upper house of parliament during an in-camera briefing by the Defence ministry.
The visit in December by Hassamuddin Hassam, acting head of the National Directorate of Security, was an apparent indication of the two sides narrowing their strategic differences, the Dawn newspaper quoted its sources as saying.
Hassam visited Islamabad after a suicide attack targeting NDS chief Assadullah Khalid. The Afghan government had claimed the attack was planned in Quetta and President Hamid Karzai had accused an unnamed foreign intelligence agency of having masterminded it.
Though Hassam’s visit primarily focused on the investigations into the attack on Khalid, it also led to improved relations between the military and intelligence agencies of the two countries, the report contended. Two Afghan nationals were arrested by Pakistani authorities in connection with the suicide attack.
The Dawn quoted its sources as saying that the Afghan spy agency was satisfied by the investigation and cooperation by Pakistan.
Information about Hassam's visit was provided to the Standing Committee on Defence of the Senate or upper house of parliament during an in-camera briefing by the Defence ministry.
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