India, July 27 -- US Central Command chief General Michael Kurilla was conferred with a big honour by the Pakistan government, called 'Nishan-e-Imtiaz (Military)'. The development came over a month after the US general's big backing for Pakistan as a "phenomenal partner" in counter-terrorism.

Kurilla was conferred the big honour by Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari.

Radio Pakistan, the country's national public broadcaster, said that the move aimed to acknowledge Kurilla's "outstanding contributions to regional security and his dedicated efforts in strengthening strategic defence ties" between Pakistan and the US.

Kurilla, who was visiting Pakistan, was presented with a Tri-Services Guard of Honour upon arrival, the broadcaster furth...