Army chief witnesses shooting competition, lauds professionalism

RAWALPINDI: Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif visited Army marksmanship Firing Ranges near Jhelum on Monday and witnessed the closing ceremony of 36th Pakistan Army Rifle Association (PARA) Central Meet, the biggest shooting competition of the country, organised after a lapse of five years.

A total of 800 firers including 33 civilians of 28 teams from across the country including Pakistan Navy, Pakistan Air force, Frontier Corps, Pakistan Rangers, Coast Guards, Gilgit Baltistan Scouts and Police participated in 22 events during the four weeks long PARA meet, said an ISPR press release.

Pakistan Army won to become champions in Inter-Services Firing Competition.

General Raheel awarded the trophies and medals to the winners and runners up in each category of shooting.

Biggest Military Shooting honour "The Master at Arms Trophy", "The President’s Cup, National Challenge Match Trophy”, The prime minister “Skills at Arms” big bore and The “Best Shot Match Trophy” were awarded to Lieutenant Saud, Brigadier Shah Nawaz, Lieutenten colonel Junaid waqas and Sepoy Naveed Ahmed of Pakistan Army respectively.

Jameel Ashraf won Sporting Rifle 300ms, Ahmed Sultan Skeet individual, while Shameel and Zahid Tufail won Skeet team Gold Medal. Four PARA national records were also broken during the championship.

While interacting with participants, the COAS appreciated the shooters on their excellent standard of marksmanship. He specially appreciated the trainers for optimum utilisation of newly created facility, ‘which has not only afforded opportunity to bring forward young talent but also helped train marksmen and snipers who are proving decisive in our fight against terror’.

The Army Chief said that training was a vital part of every soldier's professional development and must remain the hallmark to accomplish the assigned mission.

He directed to conduct more such competitions with an increase in civilian participation to encourage and prepare the youth for national and international shooting competitions.