A hotline between Afghanistan and Pakistan's military chiefs has been installed as a measure for containing cross-border conflict between the two neighbouring nations. The first call was placed on 30 December.
The hotline was a move to improve cross-border coordination and is the result of Pakistan's army chief Raheel Sharif's recent visit to Kabul.
"Hot line established between DGMOs (Director Generals of military operations) of both countries. First contact/call just made," Pakistan Army's spokesperson Asim Bajwa announced on Twitter.
The direct line communication comes after the meeting between Pakistan's Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, which was held to discuss peace talks between Taliban and Afghanistan, and would be mediated by Pakistan, reported AFP. Ghani has, in recent times, pushed for improved ties with the neighbouring country to restart the talks as insurgency in the country has increased manifold.
The first round of the conflict resolution talks took place in July, but fell through after Taliban announced the death of its leader Mullah Omar.
Pakistan, a known supporter of Taliban, has also been accused of permitting leaders of the militant group to function from its soil.
Recently, the Taliban took over the opium-rich Sangin district in Helmand province in Afghanistan, where the Afghan army is now battling them.
Taliban's aggressive push is being seen as a manoeuvre to tip the scales in their favour when peace talks ensue.
Afghanistan is also battling insurgents like Islamic State, al Qaeda, and other militants from China, Russia, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and the Middle East, reported BBC.
An explosion rocked Kabul on 28 December killing one and injuring at least 31 near the airport and Taliban took responsibility for the suicide bomb attack in the capital.
In 2015, the capital city has been attacked multiple times by the militant group killing several people.
