The corps commanders conference on Thursday paid glowing tribute to the people of Indian-held Kashmir (IHK) for bravely facing Indian atrocities and the continued siege. The 229th Corps Commanders’ Conference presided over by Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa here at the General Headquarters reviewed geo-strategic environment with special focus on internal security and situation on borders. “Repression of Indian occupying forces can never deny Kashmiris their right to self-determination as promised by the UN resolutions,” the COAS reiterated while addressing the conference. According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), General Bajwa said, “Regardless of the ordeal, the just struggle of Kashmiris is destined to succeed.” The conference noted that provocative statements of Indian leadership are an irresponsible rhetoric with implications for the region. “Pakistan Armed Forces are forces of order and peace, and fully prepared to thwart any misadventure, whatever the cost,” the commanders resolved. The forum was also apprised of the progress of ‘Operation Radd ul Fasaad’, which has put security situation of the country on a positive trajectory for enduring peace and stability. Over the past month, India’s political and military leadership have issued multiple controversial statements regarding Pakistan. Last month, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had claimed that Indian forces were now capable of making Pakistan ‘bite the dust’ in less than 10 days, during a speech to military personnel. The statement was rebuffed by the Foreign Office as ‘belligerent rhetoric’. Before that, India’s army chief Gen Manoj Mukund Naravane was reported to have said that the Indian army will move to claim Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) if it was given orders in this regard by the parliament. His statement was dismissed by the Pakistan Army’s media wing as ‘routine rhetoric for domestic audiences to get out of ongoing internal turmoil’.