950824

Hard core professional

training must to counter

enemy's designs: Waheed

PESHAWAR: General Abdul Waheed, Chief of the Army Staff has said that hard core professional training is the only answer to neutralize the adversary's advantage of manpower and machines. "Our officers and jawans, therefore, should spare no effort in attaining mastery over their arms and in achieving tactical knowledge," he added.

The Chief of the Army Staff was talking here Thursday morning to the officers and jawans during his visit to various units. Corps Commander, Lieutenant General Mumtaz Gul and General Officer Commanding, Major General Munir Hafiz were also present on the occasion.

General Abdul Waheed said that despite resource constraints the government and the people were doing their maximum to equip the army with modern arms and machines.

"We are against arms race but our adversary is amassing stockpiles of arms. Her aggressive posture in Kashmir is also too evident now. This all has made necessary for us to beef up our defence," he remarked.

The COAS exhorted the troops to devote their maximum energies for peace-time training. He mentioned about his recent visits of units in Kashmir, Siachen and other parts of the country and added that he was pleased to see their high morale and their religious pursuits for professional achievements. "The zeal and enthusiasm of the jawans despite the vagaries of weather in high altitude, icy cold areas like Siachen, tough hilly terrains of Kashmir and scorching hot deserts of Thar and Cholistan are a source of inspiration." "Your professional competence gives the nation a confidence that no one can dare cast an evil eye on our frontiers."

General Abdul Waheed said the performance of our troops under the aegis of the UN in different parts of the world and during the relief operations in flood affected areas of the country have won national and international acclaim. He advised the troops to continue working with devotion for the good of the country and people. He said our devotion to duty and a greater sense of sacrifice was the sterling quality which distinguishes our troops from rest of the armies of the world.

Later, the COAS performed the opening ceremoney of the Garrison Medical Complex, which was established to further boost the existing medical facilities to the troops and their families.

General Abdul Waheed also went round the Army Public College and visited various academic blocks. The Chief of the Army Staff left for Rawalpindi in the afternoon.-PPI