Jamali expressed the hope that General Walker's visit would "enhance the existing excellent relations between the armed forces of the two countries," they said.

Walker, who arrived on Wednesday for talks on bilateral matters and defence cooperation, also met with Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, General Muhammad Aziz Khan and discussed "professional matters," officials said.

The British defence chief earlier visited the LoC which divides the disputed Kashmir state between Pakistan and India, they said.

Local military commander briefed him about the "hardships being faced by the civil population due to unprovoked Indian shelling" from across the de facto border, they said.

The commander told him that 37 civilian had died and 97 others were seriously injured in the Indian shelling in Chakoti and Pandu sectors over the past six months.

Pakistan-UK defence relations have been progressing since Pakistan joined the 19-month old US-led war against terrorism.

In early May the Pakistan-United Kingdom Defence Consultative Forum met in Islamabad to give "structure impetus" and continuity to the developing defence relations between the two countries.

Walker met with President Pervez Musharraf in London on Tuesday before leaving for Pakistan.

He is also expected to visit the Pakistan-Afghanistan border before leaving Pakistan on Friday, officials said.

WAR.WIRE