The New Nation - Internet Edition

AFP, Islamabad

Pakistani and Indian officials began counter-terrorism talks in Islamabad Tuesday, the foreign ministry said, in the latest step of a slow-moving peace process between the nuclear rivals.

It is the third meeting of a joint anti-terror panel since it was formed by the two countries in 2006 after train bombings in India's financial capital Mumbai killed 186 people in July of that year. "The two sides will discuss various counter-terrorism measures and exchange information to assist in investigations related to terrorist acts," Pakistan foreign ministry spokesman Mohammad Sadiq told AFP.

Sadiq did not give further details about the talks, which are being held ahead of Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi's visit to India starting June 27. New Delhi accuses Islamabad-backed Islamic militants of waging an insurgency in the disputed Himalayan territory Kashmir and of triggering attacks in other parts of the country.