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70,000 Afghan soldiers being trained, says German defense minister

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Islamabad, June 6 , IRNA
Pakistan-German-Defense
Some 70,000 troops of the Afghan National Army (ANA) are being trained to take over the peace-keeping duties in the country, the German Defense Minister Josef Jung Franz said Tuesday.

Speaking at a joint press conference after talks with Pakistan Minister for Defense Rao Sikandar Iqbal, he said that trained Afghan troops will deal with security situation in the war torn country.

He said the ANA will deal with security situation in the war torn country.

Efforts are underway to train the ANA personnel with the aim of enhancing their role to effectively tackle the security situation in the country, he said.

The German defense minister however did not give any timeframe for pulling out of coalition troops from Afghanistan but said there is a need for working with collaborative approach to achieve success in the ongoing war against terror.

Referring to the role of Pakistan in the war on terror Franz said the country is playing very vital role in the war and their substantial role has been acknowledged.

Iqbal said being key player in the war on terror, Pakistan had made considerable sacrifices.

He said around 1,000 troops have rendered their lives while over 80,000 troops have been guarding the Pakistan border with Afghanistan.

He said on three different occasions President General Pervez Musharraf and once Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz were targeted by terrorists. He said Pakistan's contribution to the fight is significant and acknowledgeable.

2020/235/1412