United States Defence Secretary Robert Gates arrived in Islamabad on Tuesday to hold talks with Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf on revamping the strategy to combat cross-border movement of Taliban fighters.

The talks were expected to focus on a host of issues relating to US, European Union and Afghanistan's concerns relating to Taliban incursions from Pakistan to attack the International Security Assistance Forces deployed in Afghanistan to stabilise the strife-torn country, officials in Islamabad said.

Pakistan opposes any direct attacks by US and NATO troops on Taliban and Al Qaeda positions within its territory. However, ISAF commanders want Islamabad to step up crackdown on Taliban leadership based in Pakistan.              

The US defence secretary's visit comes ahead of the visit by US Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice, who is expected to arrive in Islamabad in the next few days to hold talks with the Pakistan leadership.