Pakistan's military chief meets US defense secretary in Washington

ISLAMABAD

Pakistan's army chief Gen. Asim Munir met with US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin in Washington to discuss the regional security situation and defense cooperation between the two countries.

Pentagon spokesman Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder said Wednesday, US time, that Austin received Munir, who arrived in Washington on Sunday for a weeklong visit.

"The two officials discussed recent regional security developments and potential areas for bilateral defense cooperation," said Ryder.

This is Munir’s first visit to the US since being appointed chief of Army Staff last year. He is expected to meet with other senior US officials, including National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan.

Washington is Islamabad's one of the largest military and trade partners.

His visit to Washington comes at a time when tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan have grown following repeated militant attacks on Pakistani security forces in border areas with Afghanistan.

At least 28 Pakistani security personnel and 27 suspected militants were recently killed in three separate attacks in the northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan, including a shooting and bomb attack.

Islamabad has accused the interim Afghanistan administration of providing support to the Tehreek-e-Taliban-e-Pakistan (TTP), which claimed responsibility for these attacks, while Kabul denies any support to militants or use of their soil against Pakistan.