COAS reaffirms resolve to defend nation's sovereignty, territorial integrity

• Army chief witnesses Exercise Hammer Strike.
• COAS lauds high morale, combat proficiency of troops.
• “Our resolve to safeguard national interests is absolute,” he says.

Amid rising tensions between two nuclear-armed neighbours, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Syed Asim Munir on Thursday warned that any military misadventure by India will be met with a swift, resolute, and notch-up response, read a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR). 

The army chief made the remarks while visiting the Tilla Field Firing Ranges (TFFR) to witness Exercise Hammer Strike—a high-intensity, field training exercise conducted by Pakistan Army’s Mangla Strike Corps.

Addressing the troops, the COAS said: “Let there be no ambiguity: any military misadventure by India will be met with a swift, resolute, and notch-up response.”

“While Pakistan remains committed to regional peace, our preparedness and resolve to safeguard national interests is absolute,” he stated.

The army chief reaffirmed the unyielding resolve of Pakistan’s armed forces to defend the nation’s sovereignty and territorial integrity at all costs.

During the visit, COAS lauded the high morale, combat proficiency, and warfighting spirit of the officers and troops, terming them the embodiment of Pakistan Army’s operational excellence.

Earlier upon arrival, the COAS was received by the corps commander.

The exercise was meticulously designed to validate combat readiness, battlefield synergy, and the operational integration of cutting-edge weapon systems under near-battlefield conditions, read the statement. 

A diverse array of advanced capabilities, including multirole fighter aircraft, combat aviation assets, long-range precision artillery, and next-generation field engineering techniques, were employed to simulate conventional battlefield scenarios.

According to the military's media wing, troops from all arms and services demonstrated exceptional tactical cohesion, agility, and lethality during synchronized offensive manoeuvres - reflecting an extraordinary level of training and professionalism.

Notably, the exercise showcased Pakistan Army’s increasing absorption of niche and emerging technologies to augment its kinetic and non-kinetic operational capabilities.

Exercise Hammer Strike stands as a testament to Pakistan Army’s pursuit of continuous transformation through rigorous training, doctrinal innovation, and technological modernization.

Senior military leadership, formation commanders, and dignitaries from various services witnessed the exercise.