Afghan Foreign Minister Mohammed Haneef Atmar has listed Pakistani terrorist groups like Lashkar-e-Toiba, Jaish-e-Mohammad as having "symbiotic" ties other terror groups in the region including Al Qaeda, Islamic State and collectively posing as a threat to the region.

Speaking at Hoover Institution's virtual event, Atmar said, "It is not just Taliban we are fighting in Afghanistan. There are 4 groups of transnational terror networks. There are those who are Afghans, 2nd group is regional terrorist, such as Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU), East Turkestan Islamic Movement, Pakistani terrorist group is the 3rd category such as Lashkar-e-Toiba, TTP, Jaish-e-Mohammad and intl terrorist groups--Al Qaeda, Daesh"

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghanistan-10-taliban-terrorists-killed-as-clashes-resume-post-eid-ceasefire-318642">Afghanistan: 10 Taliban terrorists killed as clashes resume post Eid ceasefire</a>

Explaining, "They all have symbiotic relationships. Not only among themselves but also transnational organised criminal network. They benefit from narcotics, they benefit from organised crime. They collectively pose a national security threat, to the region and the world."

India has raised many concerns regarding cross border terror emerging from Pakistan at the multilateral organisation

Without naming Pakistan, calling the failure to address sanctuaries outside Afghanistan, Atmar said, "The problem of sanctuaries outside Afghanistan...The Taliban has driven away from Afghanistan, they were given sanctuaries outside of Afghanistan and to this day we were not able to address the sanctuary problem"&nbsp;

A recent United Nations report highlighted that about 6500 Pakistani as foreign terrorist fighters are present in Afghanistan with Pakistan based terror groups like Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Toiba having around 1000 armed fighters in the landlocked South Asian country. Most of the Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Toiba fighters are co-located with Taliban fighters and are hand in glove with them. 
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Afghan Foreign Minister Mohammed Haneef Atmar has listed Pakistani terrorist groups like Lashkar-e-Toiba, Jaish-e-Mohammad as having "symbiotic" ties other terror groups in the region including Al Qaeda, Islamic State and collectively posing as a threat to the region.

Afghan Foreign Minister Mohammed Haneef Atmar has listed Pakistani terrorist groups like Lashkar-e-Toiba, Jaish-e-Mohammad as having "symbiotic" ties other terror groups in the region including Al Qaeda, Islamic State and collectively posing as a threat to the region. Speaking at Hoover Institution's virtual event, Atmar said, "It is not just Taliban we are fighting in Afghanistan. There are 4 groups of transnational terror networks. There are those who are Afghans, 2nd group is regional terrorist, such as Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU), East Turkestan Islamic Movement, Pakistani terrorist group is the 3rd category such as Lashkar-e-Toiba, TTP, Jaish-e-Mohammad and intl terrorist groups--Al Qaeda, Daesh" Also read | Afghanistan: 10 Taliban terrorists killed as clashes resume post Eid ceasefire Explaining, "They all have symbiotic relationships. Not only among themselves but also transnational organised criminal network. They benefit from narcotics, they benefit from organised crime. They collectively pose a national security threat, to the region and the world." India has raised many concerns regarding cross border terror emerging from Pakistan at the multilateral organisation Without naming Pakistan, calling the failure to address sanctuaries outside Afghanistan, Atmar said, "The problem of sanctuaries outside Afghanistan...The Taliban has driven away from Afghanistan, they were given sanctuaries outside of Afghanistan and to this day we were not able to address the sanctuary problem" A recent United Nations report highlighted that about 6500 Pakistani as foreign terrorist fighters are present in Afghanistan with Pakistan based terror groups like Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Toiba having around 1000 armed fighters in the landlocked South Asian country. Most of the Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Toiba fighters are co-located with Taliban fighters and are hand in glove with them.

Afghan foreign minister says Pakistani terror groups have symbiotic relations with Al Qaeda, IS

Pakistan and Afghanistan will set up a high-level bilateral mechanism to coordinate on security issues and amicably address border-related matters, officials said today, days after violent border clashes left casualties on both sides. 
 
The decision was taken during a meeting between Pakistan Prime Minister&#39;s adviser on foreign affairs Sartaj Aziz and Afghan foreign minister Salahuddin Rabbani on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Tashkent. 
 
Afghan national security adviser Haneef Atmar was also present at the meeting. 
 
Pakistan and Aghanistan agreed to constitute a high-level bilateral mechanism for consultation and coordination on issues relating to bilateral relations and cooperation, including security, movement of people and vehicles between the two countries and other relevant issues, according to a joint statement issued after the meeting. 
 
The proposed mechanism will be co-chaired by Aziz and Rabbani and with the participation of the national security advisers of the two countries. &quot;It will also have a joint technical working group to deal with the concerns of both countries,&quot; the statement said. 
 
The main purpose of this mechanism would be not only to address and resolve issues concerning the two countries amicably but also to prevent recurrence of violent incidents like the ones witnessed recently in Torkham, it said. 
 
The Torkham border crossing between Pakistan and Afghanistan was closed due to clashes between the two sides in which a Pakistan army major and an Afghan border guard were killed earlier this month. 
 
The clash had started when Pakistan refused to stop construction of a security gate to stop illegal crossings. 
 
Torkham is one of the busiest of the eight established crossing points on the 2,500-kilometre-long porous border between the two countries, which is used by some 25,000 travellers every day. 
 
The two countries also took this opportunity to review other aspects of bilateral ties and reaffirmed respect for each other&#39;s sovereignty and territorial integrity and adherence to the principle of non-interference into each other&#39;s internal affairs. 
 
Aziz and Rabbani reiterated their desire for strengthening bilateral relations for promoting peace, stability, counter terrorism and economic progress of both the countries. 
 
The two sides specifically expressed their firm commitment to continue serious efforts towards eliminating the scourge of terrorism which poses a grave threat to the peace and security of the two countries, and the region. 
 
They also stressed the need for continuing joint efforts to promote peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan through timely and concrete actions resulting in tangible outcomes, including in the framework of the Quadrilateral Coordination Group process - involving Pakistan, Afghanistan, China and the US. 
 
(PTI)

Countries pledge to come together and agree on a joint way forward and repair relations after fatal border clashes

Pakistan and Afghanistan will set up a high-level bilateral mechanism to coordinate on security issues and amicably address border-related matters, officials said today, days after violent border clashes left casualties on both sides. The decision was taken during a meeting between Pakistan Prime Minister's adviser on foreign affairs Sartaj Aziz and Afghan foreign minister Salahuddin Rabbani on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Tashkent. Afghan national security adviser Haneef Atmar was also present at the meeting. Pakistan and Aghanistan agreed to constitute a high-level bilateral mechanism for consultation and coordination on issues relating to bilateral relations and cooperation, including security, movement of people and vehicles between the two countries and other relevant issues, according to a joint statement issued after the meeting. The proposed mechanism will be co-chaired by Aziz and Rabbani and with the participation of the national security advisers of the two countries. "It will also have a joint technical working group to deal with the concerns of both countries," the statement said. The main purpose of this mechanism would be not only to address and resolve issues concerning the two countries amicably but also to prevent recurrence of violent incidents like the ones witnessed recently in Torkham, it said. The Torkham border crossing between Pakistan and Afghanistan was closed due to clashes between the two sides in which a Pakistan army major and an Afghan border guard were killed earlier this month. The clash had started when Pakistan refused to stop construction of a security gate to stop illegal crossings. Torkham is one of the busiest of the eight established crossing points on the 2,500-kilometre-long porous border between the two countries, which is used by some 25,000 travellers every day. The two countries also took this opportunity to review other aspects of bilateral ties and reaffirmed respect for each other's sovereignty and territorial integrity and adherence to the principle of non-interference into each other's internal affairs. Aziz and Rabbani reiterated their desire for strengthening bilateral relations for promoting peace, stability, counter terrorism and economic progress of both the countries. The two sides specifically expressed their firm commitment to continue serious efforts towards eliminating the scourge of terrorism which poses a grave threat to the peace and security of the two countries, and the region. They also stressed the need for continuing joint efforts to promote peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan through timely and concrete actions resulting in tangible outcomes, including in the framework of the Quadrilateral Coordination Group process - involving Pakistan, Afghanistan, China and the US. (PTI)

Pakistan, Afghanistan to set up bilateral mechanism to address border issues

Pakistani and Afghan soldiers clashed overnight at the main border crossing at the end of the Khyber Pass, officials said today, with at least one killed and several wounded, further straining relations between the militancy-plagued neighbours.

One Afghan soldier was killed and six were wounded, an Afghan official said. The Pakistani army said one of its soldiers was wounded in the fighting at the Torkham Gate crossing in the mountainous region of northwestern Pakistan and eastern Afghanistan.

Both countries blamed each other for starting the fighting, which broke out at roughly 9 p.m. local time on Sunday and continued into the night.

&quot;We currently have agreed on a ceasefire with Pakistan. We hope this problem will end through the work by diplomatic addresses,&quot; the Afghan government&#39;s chief executive, Abdullah Abdullah, said on Twitter.

&quot;The current fight Pakistan started doesn&#39;t help anyone&#39;s interest.&quot;

Relations between the neighbours have been strained in recent months. Kabul has accused Pakistan of harbouring militants seeking to topple the Afghan government, including the notorious Haqqani network, blamed for high-profile attacks in the capital.

Pakistan denies supporting militants and said it was constructing a border gate near Torkham, a Pakistani town close to the frontier, to prevent militants crossing from Afghanistan into Pakistan.

&quot;In order to check movement of terrorists through Torkham, Pakistan is constructing a gate on its own side of the border as a necessity to check unwanted and illegal movement,&quot; Pakistan&#39;s army said.

&quot;Pakistani security forces responded to Afghan firing effectively.&quot;

Ayub Hussainkhil, border police commander in eastern Afghanistan, said the fighting at the Torkham Gate stopped at t 5 a.m. today.

&quot;We have received reinforcement and are ready to defend our country until the last drop of blood in our bodies,&quot; he said.

The Pakistan-Afghanistan border has long remained porous and disputed. Afghanistan has blocked repeated attempts by Pakistan to build a fence on sections of the roughly 2,200-km (1,370-mile) long frontier, rejecting the contours of the boundary.

Last month, Pakistan build a border post between Pakistan&#39;s South Waziristan and Afghanistan&#39;s Paktika province and handed it over to Afghan officials.

Hours later, Afghan authorities shut the post, saying that the actual border lay about a kilometre inside Pakistani territory.

Tensions between the two nations have escalated with Kabul accusing Pakistan of harbouring militants to overturn the Afghan government

Pakistani and Afghan soldiers clashed overnight at the main border crossing at the end of the Khyber Pass, officials said today, with at least one killed and several wounded, further straining relations between the militancy-plagued neighbours. One Afghan soldier was killed and six were wounded, an Afghan official said. The Pakistani army said one of its soldiers was wounded in the fighting at the Torkham Gate crossing in the mountainous region of northwestern Pakistan and eastern Afghanistan. Both countries blamed each other for starting the fighting, which broke out at roughly 9 p.m. local time on Sunday and continued into the night. "We currently have agreed on a ceasefire with Pakistan. We hope this problem will end through the work by diplomatic addresses," the Afghan government's chief executive, Abdullah Abdullah, said on Twitter. "The current fight Pakistan started doesn't help anyone's interest." Relations between the neighbours have been strained in recent months. Kabul has accused Pakistan of harbouring militants seeking to topple the Afghan government, including the notorious Haqqani network, blamed for high-profile attacks in the capital. Pakistan denies supporting militants and said it was constructing a border gate near Torkham, a Pakistani town close to the frontier, to prevent militants crossing from Afghanistan into Pakistan. "In order to check movement of terrorists through Torkham, Pakistan is constructing a gate on its own side of the border as a necessity to check unwanted and illegal movement," Pakistan's army said. "Pakistani security forces responded to Afghan firing effectively." Ayub Hussainkhil, border police commander in eastern Afghanistan, said the fighting at the Torkham Gate stopped at t 5 a.m. today. "We have received reinforcement and are ready to defend our country until the last drop of blood in our bodies," he said. The Pakistan-Afghanistan border has long remained porous and disputed. Afghanistan has blocked repeated attempts by Pakistan to build a fence on sections of the roughly 2,200-km (1,370-mile) long frontier, rejecting the contours of the boundary. Last month, Pakistan build a border post between Pakistan's South Waziristan and Afghanistan's Paktika province and handed it over to Afghan officials. Hours later, Afghan authorities shut the post, saying that the actual border lay about a kilometre inside Pakistani territory.

Pakistan, Afghan soldiers clash at Khyber Pass border, 1 killed

Pakistani&nbsp;and Afghan soldiers clashed overnight at the main border crossing at the end of the Khyber Pass, officials said today, with at least one killed and several wounded, further straining relations between the militancy-plagued neighbours.

One Afghan soldier was killed and six were wounded, an Afghan official said. The Pakistani army said one of its soldiers was wounded in the fighting at the Torkham Gate crossing in the mountainous region of northwestern Pakistan and eastern Afghanistan.

Both countries blamed each other for starting the fighting, which broke out at roughly 9 pm&nbsp;local time on Sunday and continued into the night.

&quot;We currently have agreed on a ceasefire with Pakistan. We hope this problem will end through the work by diplomatic addresses,&quot; the Afghan government&#39;s chief executive, Abdullah Abdullah, said on Twitter.

&quot;The current fight Pakistan started doesn&#39;t help anyone&#39;s interest.&quot;

Relations between the neighbours have been strained in recent months. Kabul has accused Pakistan of harbouring militants seeking to topple the Afghan government, including the notorious Haqqani network, blamed for high-profile attacks in the capital.

Pakistan denies supporting militants and said it was constructing a border gate near Torkham, a Pakistani town close to the frontier, to prevent militants crossing from Afghanistan into Pakistan.

&quot;In order to check movement of terrorists through Torkham, Pakistan is constructing a gate on its own side of the border as a necessity to check unwanted and illegal movement,&quot; Pakistan&#39;s army said.

&quot;Pakistani security forces responded to Afghan firing effectively.&quot;

Ayub Hussainkhil, border police commander in eastern Afghanistan, said the fighting at the Torkham Gate stopped at&nbsp;5 am&nbsp;today.

&quot;We have received reinforcement and are ready to defend our country until the last drop of blood in our bodies,&quot; he said.

The Pakistan-Afghanistan border has long remained porous and disputed. Afghanistan has blocked repeated attempts by Pakistan to build a fence on sections of the roughly 2,200-km (1,370-mile) long frontier, rejecting the contours of the boundary.

Last month, Pakistan build a border post between Pakistan&#39;s South Waziristan and Afghanistan&#39;s Paktika province and handed it over to Afghan officials.

Hours later, Afghan authorities shut the post, saying that the actual border lay about a kilometre inside Pakistani territory.

Pakistani and Afghan soldiers clashed overnight at the main border crossing at the end of the Khyber Pass, officials said today, with at least one killed and several wounded, further straining relations between the militancy-plagued neighbours. One Afghan soldier was killed and six were wounded, an Afghan official said. The Pakistani army said one of its soldiers was wounded in the fighting at the Torkham Gate crossing in the mountainous region of northwestern Pakistan and eastern Afghanistan. Both countries blamed each other for starting the fighting, which broke out at roughly 9 pm local time on Sunday and continued into the night. "We currently have agreed on a ceasefire with Pakistan. We hope this problem will end through the work by diplomatic addresses," the Afghan government's chief executive, Abdullah Abdullah, said on Twitter. "The current fight Pakistan started doesn't help anyone's interest." Relations between the neighbours have been strained in recent months. Kabul has accused Pakistan of harbouring militants seeking to topple the Afghan government, including the notorious Haqqani network, blamed for high-profile attacks in the capital. Pakistan denies supporting militants and said it was constructing a border gate near Torkham, a Pakistani town close to the frontier, to prevent militants crossing from Afghanistan into Pakistan. "In order to check movement of terrorists through Torkham, Pakistan is constructing a gate on its own side of the border as a necessity to check unwanted and illegal movement," Pakistan's army said. "Pakistani security forces responded to Afghan firing effectively." Ayub Hussainkhil, border police commander in eastern Afghanistan, said the fighting at the Torkham Gate stopped at 5 am today. "We have received reinforcement and are ready to defend our country until the last drop of blood in our bodies," he said. The Pakistan-Afghanistan border has long remained porous and disputed. Afghanistan has blocked repeated attempts by Pakistan to build a fence on sections of the roughly 2,200-km (1,370-mile) long frontier, rejecting the contours of the boundary. Last month, Pakistan build a border post between Pakistan's South Waziristan and Afghanistan's Paktika province and handed it over to Afghan officials. Hours later, Afghan authorities shut the post, saying that the actual border lay about a kilometre inside Pakistani territory.