ISLAMABAD — Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) and Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Asim Munir praises the “character, courage, and competence” of Pakistani soldiers during the ongoing fight against terrorism, the Inter-Service Public Relations (ISPR) said on Tuesday.
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The remarks were made while Munir addressed the closing ceremony of the 9th International Pakistan Army Team Spirit (PATS) Competition as the chief guest on Monday. The CDF praised the soldiers for their enduring professionalism and high morale, highlighting their performance in challenging operational environments.
🇵🇰 The 9th International #PakistanArmy Team Spirit (#PATS) Competition concluded at Kharian on 9 February 2026, bringing together elite military teams in a demanding 60‑hour patrolling exercise designed to test endurance, tactical skills and operational competence .
The closing… https://t.co/Zor99jVAKe pic.twitter.com/yvdDWHDCRv
— Raaz News – En (@raaznewsen) February 10, 2026
The 9th International Pakistan Army Team Spirit (PATS) Competition successfully concluded at Kharian on 9 February 2026. The closing ceremony was graced by the Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, NI (M), HJ, COAS & CDF, as the Chief Guest.
The Team Spirit Competition is a 60-hour… pic.twitter.com/AGVPPtOWon
— PTV News (@PTVNewsOfficial) February 10, 2026
Field Marshal Munir also lauded all participating teams for demonstrating exceptional physical and mental endurance, operational competence, and teamwork throughout the 60-hour-long exercise. He emphasized that such multinational engagements enhance collective preparedness and help armies adapt to the evolving nature of modern warfare.
According to ISPR, the PATS Competition, held from February 5 to 9 in the semi-mountainous terrain of Punjab, is designed to develop military skills through the exchange of tactical experiences, innovative ideas, and best practices among participating teams. Over the years, it has grown into a prestigious exercise that promotes professional excellence and fosters camaraderie among international and domestic forces.
This year’s competition included 19 countries such as Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belarus, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Malaysia, Maldives, Morocco, Nepal, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, Turkiye, the United States, and Uzbekistan, while Indonesia, Myanmar, and Thailand attended as observers. Sixteen Pakistani teams from the army and navy, along with air force observers, also took part.
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Munir presented awards to outstanding participants and visited the National Counter Terrorism Centre in Pabbi to observe training activities, including the newly established Tactical Simulator. He underscored the importance of simulator-based training as a complement to traditional methods.
ISPR noted that international observers and defence attachés appreciated the high standard of organisation, professionalism, and conduct demonstrated throughout the exercise