| Australia to train extra Pakistani troops
By national security correspondent Matt Brown
Posted 47 minutes ago
The chief of the general staff of Pakistan's military has welcomed an Australian decision to boost training in counter-insurgent warfare for his forces.
Almost 1.5 million people have been forced from their homes by fighting between government troops and Taliban militants in Pakistan's north and western regions.
Defence analysts say if the government is to succeed and hold its ground, it will need to wage a more sophisticated counter-insurgency campaign.
Last year, the Australian military offered 10 places for Pakistani troops to receive counter-insurgent warfare training.
That was boosted to 40 in February and now the Government has decided to offer 70 places, starting in July.
Pakistani General Tariq Majid has been in Canberra for key meetings with the Government and says his men are committed to eradicating extremism. |
