MOSCOW – In a major development, four high profile spy chiefs ofPakistan, Russia, Iran and China reached an understanding of the importanceof coordinated steps to prevent the trickling of IS terrorists from Syriaand Iraq to Afghanistan.

Sergei Ivano, spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Intelligence revealedthat the meeting was held in Islamabad on Tuesday was held under theauspices of Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) to discuss how tocounter the extremist group’s influence.

“The discussions focused on the dangers arising from a buildup of theIslamic State on the Afghan territory,” Ivanov said, adding that thepartner countries have reached consensus to prevent IS influence which isposing a threat to security of neighbouring countries.

The top security and intelligence officials stressed the need for a moreactive inclusion of regional powers in the efforts to settle theyears-long Afghan conflict.

A Russian State Department official requesting anonymity said: “ISIS hasgrown stronger over the last couple of years, despite a really witheringmilitary campaign, principally from U.S. forces, but with strong support aswell from Afghan forces”.

US rejects all such suspicions, especially in light of their increased airstrikes targeting the ISIS members. They allege that chances for peacewith Afghanistan have been deterred by non-cooperation and support for theTaliban by Russia and Iran.

They also commented that the recent huddle in Pakistan was a chance toescalate involvement which is not conducive to the goal of peace,Washington examiner reported.

In the meeting, discussions pertained to trying to ensure that there was nodomino effect of the terrorism in Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan to theneighbouring countries of Iran, China and Russia.

Russia and China have recently been trying to exert more control inAfghanistan as displayed by the Beijing-led Shanghai CooperationOrganization (SCO) which vows to adopt a more active stance on securityissues in Afghanistan.