Russian military delegation visits North, South Waziristan

E-Paper | July 28, 2026

A Russian military delegation, accompanied by senior officers of the Pakistan Army, visited Miran Shah in North Waziristan Agency and Wanna in South Waziristan Agency, said a statement by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).

The delegation of the Russian army, the first ever to visit the conflict-stricken areas, was led by Deputy Chief of General Staff Colonel General Israkov Sergi Yuryevich.

“The delegation was briefed about Pakistan Army's efforts to clear FATA from terrorists of all hue and colours,” said the ISPR statement.

The visiting Russian military officers were also briefed about border management on the Pak-Afghan border and socio economic development projects in the area.

Russian delegation inspects weapons. -ISPR

“The delegation acknowledged and appreciated Pakistan Army’s achievements in the fight against terrorism and efforts to bring stability in the region,” added the statement.

Cooperation between the armed forces of Russia and Pakistan has grown in recent times.

In September 2016, a contingent of Russian ground forces arrived in Pakistan for the first ever joint Pak-Russian exercise.

Around 200 military personnel of both countries participated in the drills. The special operations drills codenamed ‘Druzhbha-2016’ — a Russian word meaning “friendship” — saw Russian troops and Pakistani special forces working in close cooperation.

Building upon the cooperation, Russian Navy’s largest anti-submarine warfare ship Severmorsk arrived in Pakistan for participation in the Aman 2017 international naval exercises in February 2017.

Pakistan also confirmed purchase of Mi-35 ground attack helicopters in 2015.

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a blot on escutcheon

Mar 30, 2017 08:26pm

Can anybody guess the meaning of this visit? Pakistan is now taking bold steps on the foreign policy front. The increasing cooperation between Russia and Pakistan in this region is certainly going to bring peace and stability in the region. In my opinion, this move may not be welcome by US and India though.

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imtiaz ali khan

Mar 30, 2017 08:32pm

Good friendship message for Russia/Pakistan love from Pakistan to Russia. ROSIAAAA!! :)

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Nadeem orakzai

Mar 30, 2017 08:33pm

Late, but right step in right direction

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sh3r

Mar 30, 2017 08:41pm

Russia will enter Afghanistan again with the help of pakistan & China.

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Hassan

Mar 30, 2017 08:44pm

Unprecedented

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Raja Farhat Abbas

Mar 30, 2017 08:44pm

Good to see Russia getting closer to us in all fields.One of the reasons for the visit to this area of Pakistan could be to make contact for talks with the Afghan Taliban i assume.

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Chodhary

Mar 30, 2017 08:44pm

This however brings a window of opportunity for Pakistan to extend support to Russia in order to bring peace and stability in the whole region.

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DIL

Mar 30, 2017 08:51pm

@a blot on escutcheon I hope it also means that Pakistan has realized US is not a trustworthy ally anymore and now Pakistan is trying to create strong ties in the region.

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Leena

Mar 30, 2017 08:59pm

@a blot on escutcheon, India is a fake stake holder in this conflict and plays as a USA "Munshi" role in Afghanistan.

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Saif Zulfiqar

Mar 30, 2017 09:00pm

It is not only Pakistan, but many Asian countries are leaning towards China and Russia.

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Raja Farhat Abbas

Mar 30, 2017 09:01pm

@sh3r ...I agree with your comment.Yes of course Russia will enter Afghanistan again. USA/NATO are in Afghanistan to work against China/Russia and India is there for the soul purpose of meddling in Pakistan!.

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Mar 30, 2017 09:09pm

Pakistan doing well in foreign relations in every field. The recent Period saw great relations with China,Russia, turkey, kuiwt,bherain, and world big auto car companies coming to Pakistan. Military relations got strengthen trumandously. Jf 17 thunder is doing well in global market. And Mr. 56 was trying to isolate Pakistan.

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Bhatkal

Mar 30, 2017 09:09pm

Hopefully, Russians will provide arms for the Taliban against the Americans the same way Americans did against USSR. Good foreign policy move by Pakistan.

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Sohail Khan Wazir

Mar 30, 2017 09:09pm

That's great. So that's why a helicopter was buzzing in the sky through Bannu goes to waziristan.

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Malik

Mar 30, 2017 09:16pm

Alarm bells in Washington. Americans must be biting their nails seeing their ally switching sides.

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Zealot

Mar 30, 2017 09:16pm

Relations BASED on MORALITY should be Revived First WHICH IS MOSTLY TRUST.... Once Trust Built,EVERYTHING WILL BE BUILT GOOD MOVE PAK ARMY!!!!

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Zealot

Mar 30, 2017 09:22pm

@Malik which is why U.S is Blaming RUSSIANS and Iranis to destablise Afghanistan http://russia-insider.com/en/us-general-blames-russia-and-iran-americas-disastrous-occupation-afghanistan/ri18888

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Maxx

Mar 30, 2017 09:24pm

This is huge news. Now the Russians are coming through proper channel to reach the warm waters of Arabian seas...through Gwadar and through CPEC. Also Russia is hosting a conference on Afghanistan next month with Pakistan-China-Russia-Afghanistan the major stake holders. India and US is invited though...

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Zealot

Mar 30, 2017 09:25pm

@Malik http://russia-insider.com/en/us-general-blames-russia-and-iran-americas-disastrous-occupation-afghanistan/ri18888 Right

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Ali

Mar 30, 2017 09:27pm

Russia's superpower status is most important for regional peace. Therefore, we welcome Russia and China to help bring peace in Afghanistan, which had remained elusive after 15-year US/NATO/ISAF deployment and expense of $1.8 trillion dollars. Russia and China are part of the region, they have more at stake in Afghanistan, compared to far away Europe and USA. All members of the Afghan society, including the Taliban must participate to form a national unity government.

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Zealot

Mar 30, 2017 09:27pm

@Bhatkal Hopefully, Russians will provide arms for the Taliban against the Americans the same way Americans did against USSR. Good foreign policy move by Pakistan And WHAT WORDS CAN WE EXPECT FROM IGNOBLE PEOPLE LIKE YOU

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Muzaffar

Mar 30, 2017 09:34pm

Russia has it's eyes on Afghanistan and is taking Pakistan into confidence. This is good for our country.

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Mir

Mar 30, 2017 09:35pm

I guess the old game of reaching warm waters is finally taking affect. They'd most likely use the Kilik Pass for an onward journey to the north.

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Brownenvelope136

Mar 30, 2017 09:45pm

@Maxx Actually it's OLD news...not huge.. unless it's meant to be broken down but either way, it's old news.

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Alba

Mar 30, 2017 09:51pm

The situation on the boarder is such that Pakistan needs help from whoever gives help.

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Liaqat Khan

Mar 30, 2017 10:23pm

Pakistan army is the best in world. Even Russia and American feel proud to take part in exercises led by Pakistan army. Salute to Pakistan army

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Faisal

Mar 30, 2017 10:26pm

Now its Pakistan s time to play, keeping the balance. Pakistan is beginning to move on its own terms. Positive steps towards consolidating Pakistan's position in the regional game for control. Pakistan has learned to deal one on one basis, Iran and India will be much worried as Pakistan is dealing directly with Russia, China and Saudi Arabia, USA and have their General as chief of IMA.

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Azam Khan

Mar 30, 2017 10:32pm

@sh3r, what for ! doesn't make sense.

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Syed F. Hussaini

Mar 30, 2017 11:04pm

As a second-time gesture of friendship, would the Russian government like to bail out Pakistan Steel acquiring it along with its debt and then sell it to some private Russian company charging only the price of assets?

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nascent90s

Mar 30, 2017 11:30pm

Warm waters? Good Pak move but how will Trump policy shape for Pak which is still to go public.

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AKB

Mar 30, 2017 11:48pm

Russian military delegation is welcome to Pakistan. It is hoped that Russia,China and Pakistan will jointly work for peace and stability in the region.

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ahamd shah uk

Mar 31, 2017 12:44am

Friendship with Russia makes sense .Someone somewhere is doing great job to make that happen. Well done .We need to further strengthen ties with our this great neighbouring country.

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Gilgiti in Germany

Mar 31, 2017 01:41am

Well done Pakistan Army that's how to balance the external relations with all countries and no doubt Pakistan Army has done a lot and more then any other country in war againts terrorisim.

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Ali(Canada)

Mar 31, 2017 02:44am

@Malik dont worry they switched already and you have no option left.

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awan

Mar 31, 2017 07:11am

Well done and right direction

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Israr

Mar 31, 2017 06:02pm

@a blot on escutcheon Meaning of the visit? Russians are not only good at chess but in geopolitical games as well. Any one playing foul will have appropriate response. Russians have clearly seen India's increasing alliance with America despite that USSR/Russia enabled India in virtually all fields by transferring technology at cheap rates including knowhow in space ...complete with manuals! There now has to be some price for loosening the beer's hug and the best way for the Russians is to open doors, albeit partially, to Pakistan and further strengthening its ties with China. No doubt India would still buy some weapon systems from Russia just to keep some balance but no longer at cheaper rates as before and without any leverage on Russian dealing with Pakistan.

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Afzaal

Mar 31, 2017 06:46pm

@DK let us be realistic...Jf17 has not yet found significant international market other than perhaps some sale to Myamer. Our middle Eastern friends are unlikely to buy this toy as they always seem to go for higher grade expensive weapons from the West. Pakistan has to work harder to get recognition as a successful weapon exporter given the tough competition and not enough cash to invest in research due to damaged economy. But yes one would agree....some one's 56 inches chest seems now reduced to 56 MM, thanks to his failures to isolate Pakistan!

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Afzaal

Mar 31, 2017 07:13pm

@Bhatkal It seems unlikely that Russians with the current state of their economy (reduced oil revenues) are likely to initiate weapon support to the Taliban at the same scale as the Americans did to the Mujahiddens against the USSR. In fact America would be happy to see Russians involved in such a campaign as this would be a sure way of seeing a speedy decline of Russian economy with its ill effects.

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IbraR

Mar 31, 2017 07:24pm

Good to see ice melting between Russia and Pakistan and Pakistan must continue promoting its balanced relations with Russsia/China vis-a-vis America. we also need to get ourselves out of the habit of seeing too much into little changes and getting overexcited about things just to feel secure in our hostile environment.

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SAM

Apr 01, 2017 10:25am

Pak Russia Dosti Zindabad

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Apr 01, 2017 10:56am

Through Russia Pakistan have shortest access route to Canada and USA intelligent strategy.

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y-fi

Apr 01, 2017 11:21am

Much needed Druzhba of current time ....

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R.J. ALVA (MUMBAI)

Apr 01, 2017 11:56am

This is true !!! in this world no any permanent enemy or friend

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Raj

Apr 01, 2017 03:19pm

Internationally all the traditional alliances are changing. Now, China is closer to Pakistan than the US. US is closer to India than the Russia. India is closer to KSA than Pakistan. UAE is closer to India than Paksitan. Turkey is close to Pakistan than UAE. So, nothing much to read and write. Becuase, as the saying goes, in international politics there are no permanant friends and no permanant enemies. Everyone knows it.

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Anusri Tripathi

Apr 01, 2017 03:21pm

What I get from this news is that Afghanistan is again going to become a battle ground for USA and Russia.

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Raj

Apr 01, 2017 03:23pm

@Malik - It is only your imaginations boss. Every country knows that these are the days of 'changing alliances'. Yesterday's friends is today's enemy and today's friend may be tomorrow's enemy. So, there is nothing to glee with your imagination that, US will be biting nails at this new alliance. In fact, under trump, US is not interested in any alliances and slowly their financial burdn due to paksitan aid, will come down. Also, only money and power matters now. WHoever has got it they are right. See how China providing funds to every country of their interest. See Russia arming every group of their interset. As long as these big powers give money and arms they will be in good books of the recipients. Once it is stopped, then everyone will become an enemy of CHina and Russia. So, these are just games.

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Akhand Bharat

Apr 01, 2017 03:26pm

@Leena Ask people of Afghanistan and they will tell you that India is the only country with which they are comfortable dealing with.

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L.Ahmad

Apr 01, 2017 03:43pm

Russians are back. Welcome.

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naji

Apr 01, 2017 04:09pm

It is very easy to understand why Russian forces representatives are visiting Pakistan and meeting Pak Army. Russia is negotiating with Afghan Taliban since last year, 2016. They conduct several round of talk with Afghan Taliban. Now they want to board Pakistan also with Afghan Taliban, Afghan Govt, and Pakistan Army and Civil Govt.

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adventurer

Apr 01, 2017 04:24pm

@a blot on escutcheon The russians are oversmart - it is being done to alienate Pak - US relationship.So it has to be either US or Russia?

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KUL DEEP KUSHWAH

Apr 01, 2017 05:57pm

good to see a confident Pakistan moving forward so well . best wishes from across the border . but I really wish that apart from all this , both countries should also try to improve relations with each other . and this should be initiated by both the sides . yes , I agree issues are there Indians are incensed by alleged pakistani support to kashmiri turmoil and Pakistanis are incensed by Indian alleged support to terrorism on pakistani soil both the countries know that none is a holy and innocent soul we both are culprits but for how long ? we can change friends but not neighbours and this realisation should be on both sides . and last but not the least , India is resetting it's geopolitical links and so is Pakistan and there is no harm in that but first of all , both countries have to be strong enough on their own so that they are simplyou not used as proxies in this war of so called global powers God bless both India and Pakistan

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Shakil

Apr 01, 2017 06:29pm

@Akhand Bharat Yes because their strategic disinterest in India stops them from interfering in Indian affairs

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Afzaal

Apr 01, 2017 07:36pm

@KUL DEEP KUSHWAH God bless India and Pakistan. And God bless nice souls like you ...the likes of which are rare on either side! Sadly we seem to have got locked up in a trap right from Partition,thanks to the conditions that prevailed at the time. Distance between the two has increased tremendously despite sharing a common border. Still if there is sincere and honest approach to ending problems we could shorten time towards peace and reconciliation. Issues are actually simple if there is intention to resolve them.For example just as India sent its Army into Hyderabad state (Hindu majority with Muslim ruler)and made its own part similarly it should understand that Pakistan's position on Kashmir can not be questioned.The only reason why K has remained unresolved is the imbalance between defence forces which India has used to its advantage. God bless both but you can not expect friendship and peace simply by telling the other party to forget issues without changing your own position.

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SAEED MASOOD

Apr 01, 2017 07:41pm

It is high time that Pakistan and Russia bet closer and more friendly, it is also time for Russia to enter Afghanistan and join Pakistan to crush the terror problem and make this area more safe which will be good for everyone in this area, except it not be welcomed by India and America... Pakistan, China and Russia for the future.

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Modi Bajee

Apr 01, 2017 08:09pm

Isolated Pakistan

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Rationalist_Indian

Apr 01, 2017 09:46pm

Pakistan on way to play major role in world politics now.

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Anon

Apr 03, 2017 10:31am

Small countries cannot play big countries! Sri Lanka tried to do it and failed!