No complacency in preparing for conventional threat: COAS

BAHAWALPUR/LAHORE: Chief of the Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa on Wednesday said one could not be complacent about the conventional threat amid the ongoing war on terror.

“While we are committed to the war on terror, we cannot be complacent about our preparations for response to the conventional threat,” said the army chief. According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR),he expressed these views during his visit to Bahawalpur to witness the winter collective training exercise of mechanised formation.

Bahawalpur Corps Commander Lt-Gen Sher Afgun briefed Gen Bajwa on the training for the assigned operational tasks. The army chief appreciated the high standards of training and professional skills displayed by the formation.

Earlier in the day, Gen Bajwa witnessed the concluding ceremony of the Army Band Competition 2017 at the Fortress Stadium, Lahore, and distributed prizes among the winners. Bands from 15 regimental centres, 19 infantry battalions – including buglers and trumpeters from the Pakistan Navy and Pakistan Rangers – participated in the event.

The Frontier Force Regimental Centre clinched the President’s Military Brass Band Trophy. The Artillery Regimental Centre was the runner-up with the Army Services Corps Centre securing the third place.

Speaking on the occasion, the army chief congratulated the winners and appreciated their skills. Pakistan Army’s Adjutant General Lt-Gen Anwar Ali Hyder was also present at the ceremony, which was attended by a large number of serving and retired military officials and civilians.