ISLAMABAD, Feb 4: Army chief Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani would hold talks this month with US commanders in Washington on defence and counter-terrorism cooperation, an official said on Wednesday.

“This visit is pre-scheduled,” the official, who would not be identified, said. This will be Gen Kayani’s first visit to the United States as head of the army and comes weeks after the new Washington administration took office.

The visit comes in the wake of an intensified Pakistan military offensive against Taliban fighters and extremist militants in the country’s tribal areas and northwest.

Kayani visited the United States previously as head of the Inter-Services Intelligence agency.—AFP