- As Karzai discusses alleged shelling by Pakistan and US troops’ pullout plan, Gen Dunford says he is unaware of gunfire by Pakistan
- Karzai says clarification will be sought from Islamabad before Kabul is forced to take any step against continued shelling
- Gen Dunford briefs Karzai regarding gradual withdrawal of US forces from Afghanistan from 2015
Afghan President Hamid Karzai on Wednesday discussed the issues of alleged cross-border shelling by Pakistan and US troops’ pullout plan from Afghanistan with the top US officials in Afghanistan.
Commander of the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) Gen Joseph Dunford along with US Ambassador James Cunningham briefed Afghanistan President Karzai regarding the gradual withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan, presidential palace media office said Wednesday.
Gen Dunford briefed Karzai regarding the gradual withdrawal of US forces from Afghanistan from 2015 to 2017 and said that Washington will remain committed to assist Afghanistan and the Afghan security forces. He said all US bases except Bagram airfield will be transferred to Afghanistan by the end of 2017 while Bagram will be transferred to Afghanistan later.
KARZAI HAS SOME COMPLAINTS:
Karzai asked the US officials to provide information regarding the cross-border shelling by Pakistan in eastern Kunar province of Afghanistan.
Responding to Karzai, Gen Dunford, quoted in the statement by presidential palace, said that he was unaware of the shelling.
Defence Minister Gen Bismillah Mohamadi said that over 300 rockets were fired in Kunar during the past two days which left at least 12 people injured.
The Afghan Chief of Army Staff Gen Sher Mohammad Karimi also said that the issue was shared with the Pakistan chief of army staff and they have rejected reports in this regard.
President Karzai said the government of Afghanistan will seek clarification from Islamabad before Kabul is forced to take any step regarding the continued shelling.
Gen Joseph Dunford and James Cunningham assured Karzai that the issue will be shared with the Pakistani officials.
