COAS witnesses military exercises in Cholistan, lauds standard of training

RAWALPINDI: Lauding training standards of participating troops in ongoing exercises of Bahawalpur and Multan formations in the Cholistan desert, Army Chief Gen Raheel Sharif on Thursday expressed satisfaction over operational preparedness of the Army.

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS) is on a two day visit to Bahawalpur and Multan to witness the military exercises, said a statement issued here by Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR).

Speaking to the participating troops, he said all available means must be utilized to improve the operational capability of the Army to effectively respond to full spectrum of threat.

“Strenuous training and highest standard of preparedness in peacetime are the only guarantors of peace,” he said.

The Army Chief visited training area near Fort Abbas and Dingarh and witnessed training exercise of Bahawalpur Corps wherein the operational capability of the field formations was being tested in near war environment, to validate the new war fighting concept. 

The exercise involves large scale integrated maneuvers of infantry, mechanized forces, combat aviation and Pakistan Air Force (PAF).

On arrival in the field area, Gen Raheel was given a detailed briefing on the aim and objectives of ongoing exercise by the Field Commander.

The scope of the exercise includes offensive and defensive maneuvers by Army to ensure complete dominance of the battlefield.

The formations and units have been undergoing this exercise under strenuous field conditions for over one month now and the final phase of the exercise along with the validation is underway.

Earlier, the COAS inaugurated the newly constructed Church and soldiers mess at Bahawalpur garrison. He was received by Corps Commander Lieutenant General Javed Iqbal on arrival in Bahawalpur.