RAWALPINDI: The commander of the Resolute Support Mission in Afghanistan, Gen Austin Scott Miller, on Thursday met Chief of the Army Staff Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa at the General Headquarters.

According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), matters of mutual interest with reference to regional security and the ongoing Afghan reconciliation process were discussed during the meeting.

Both dignitaries expressed unanimity of views on the importance of political resolution of the Afghan situation and underlined that only an Afghan-owned and Afghan-led inclusive process could lead to peace in Afghanistan, the ISPR said.

They reaffirmed the need for continuing harmonised efforts against terrorists and for effective border management. Gen Bajwa said Pakistan was committed to efforts for peace in Afghanistan as it was important for peace in Pakistan as well.

Separately, Russian Ambassador to Pakistan Alexey Yurevish Dedov also called on Gen Bajwa.

During the meeting, matters related to regional security and bilateral cooperation were discussed, an ISPR press release said.

Later, the visiting dignitary conferred the Order of Friendship, Medal for Courage in Salvation and Medal for the Common Wealth in Rescue on 10 officers and two soldiers of the Pakistan Army in recognition of their cooperation and commitment during a search operation at Latok-1 to rescue Russian mountaineer Alexander Gukov from 20,650 feet AMSL in July this year.

The six-day rescue mission was carried out by the army aviation under hostile and challenging conditions.

The Russian ambassador also presented Medal for the Common Wealth in Rescue and a Letter of Commendation of Russian Mountaineering Federation to the army chief.

Published in Dawn, December 28th, 2018