ISLAMABAD, March 28: Preliminary meeting between Pakistani and US officials to strengthen security along borders with Afghanistan and Iran to check cross-border terrorism, illegal movements and smuggling was held at the Interior Ministry here on Thursday.

Well-placed sources told Dawn the meeting was attended by the officials of the US State Department, the US Embassy and senior Interior Ministry officials.

As part of its on-going war against terrorism, the US has pledged $73 million in aid to Pakistan to be administered by the State Department’s Bureau for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement for improving the border security.

According to official sources, initial modalities for utilisation of US aid of $73 million for strengthening the border security were discussed. Out of $73 million, an amount of $44 million would be used for training and equipment. Another $29 million would be utilised for strengthening the aviation security along the borders, officials said.

The US would provide five Huey utility helicopters, fixed wing surveillance aircraft, trucks, water tankers, communications and night-vision equipment and appropriate training for strengthening the border security.

The equipment, sources said, would be given to the paramilitary forces deployed along the country’s western border with Afghanistan and Iran and along the coast of the Arabian Sea. Pakistan’s long and porous western border has more than 500 entry points.