Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa visited Bahawalpur on Thursday and witnessed training activities of formation at Asrani and Khairpur Tamewali (KPT), the military said in a statement.

According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the mechanised troops demonstrated battle drills involved in the operational cycle of the formation including offensive manoeuvres.

The army chief also witnessed field firing of different weapon systems at KPT ranges. It included integrated firepower display of various components including Armour, Mechanised Infantry, Artillery, Air Defence, ATGMs duly supported by Pakistan Air Force (PAF) and combat aviation.

Gen Qamar appreciated high standards of training and operational preparedness of the formation. Interacting with troops, he emphasised realistic training in line with the emerging threats and challenges to defeat the nefarious designs of our adversaries.

“The Pakistan Army is prepared to defend territorial integrity and sovereignty of Pakistan against all odds,” the COAS was quoted as saying by the ISPR.

Earlier, on arrival, Gen Qamar was received by Corps Commander Bahawalpur Lieutenant General Khalid Zia.