ISLAMABAD, June 6: Pakistan, Afghanistan and the United States discussed here on Tuesday better coordination against the Taliban threat at a periodic meeting joined for the first time by the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation.

A military statement said Nato took part as a ‘full member’ of the tripartite commission which was holding its 17th meeting.

Nato is expanding its operations into the south of Afghanistan up to Pakistan’s border.

A statement issued after the meeting said: “Nato-Isaf (International Security Assistance Force) reviewed plans to extend the reach of the government of Afghanistan through greater Nato-ISAF (presence in the south. All sides agreed that Nato-Isaf’s expanded role in the tripartite commission is very important to ensuring effective coordination in this region.”

The meeting discussed the latest efforts to connect all parties to a “common intelligence-sharing database, providing a common view of enemy intentions and activities”.

The meeting reviewed the recent Operation Mountain Lion in Afghanistan, which was aimed at denying sanctuary to the ‘common enemy’.

The operation was jointly planned and executed by the US-led coalition, Afghanistan and Pakistan.

“The parties discussed both success stories and lessons learned for improving coordinated efforts in future operations,” the statement said.—AFP

Our Reporter adds: The session began with a presentation by the coalition’s counter-improved explosive device (IED) working group that explained the results of a recent symposium held in Bagram, Afghanistan.