A top military general said in Islamabad that international forces need secure supply lines through Pakistan for operations in Afghanistan.

It has been reported that U. S. Army Gen. Stanley McChrystal, the top commander of U. S. and international force in Afghanistan, met Monday with Pakistani Army Gen. Ashfaq Kayani in Islamabad.

Pakistani newspaper The Nation has reported that both leaders during their meeting at the Pakistani army headquarters discussed the security of supplies traveling across Pakistan to international forces in Afghanistan.

Militants attacked a NATO supply convoy Wednesday in Pakistan. At least seven people died when insurgents attacked about 20 trucks set to deliver supplies to international forces operating in Afghanistan.

It was difficult for security forces in the country to provide safe passage for the estimated 4,000 trucks passing through the region each day, Pakistani authorities have said.

NATO supply convoys have increasingly come under militant attacks. NATO is said to be examining safer routes through Russia and central Asia.

It was further reported that McChrystal during his meetings promised to keep Pakistan up to date on the latest military operations in Afghanistan.

The report further noted that U. S. President Barack Obama linked Pakistan to the war in Afghanistan when he rolled out his new strategy in Central Asia in December. (With Inputs from Agencies)