Daily Times

RAWALPINDI: Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif on Friday visited troops deployed on front-lines along the Line of Control (LOC) in Kel and Bagh Sectors.

According to Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), COAS greeted them Eid and spent time with them. He said high state of morale of troops, operational preparedness and vigil being maintained along the LOC is highly commendable.

Paying rich tributes to the supreme sacrifices of officers and men of Pakistan Army, the COAS appreciated their spirit of valour, sacrifice and extreme commitment for defence of the motherland.

Earlier on arrival, the COAS was received by Corps Commander Lieutenant General Malik Zafar Iqbal.

Meanwhile, on first day of Eidul Fitr, COAS also spent the Eid with the troops in the forward areas of North and South Waziristan agencies.

The COAS offered his Eid prayers at Shawal and interacted with the troops assigned there.

Later, he visited Datta Khel where he wished the deployed soldiers with a happy Eid, COAS commended their morale and spirit of fighting on the front line to protect the motherland, according to ISPR.

The COAS was briefed by Corps Commander and Formation Commander in detail, about the on-going sanitisation and stabilisation operation as part of the Zarb-e-Azb and post-operation security environment.

Sharif said the nation and valiant Army had paid a huge prize for eliminating terrorists and restoring peace in the country.

“We will not let these sacrifices go waste,” the COAS said and added, “With FATA cleared and terrorists being chased across the country, we are determined not to allow them to return and reverse our gains,” he added.

The COAS said operations against terrorists of all hue and colour would continue.

“As consolidation goes on and operational dividends optimised for Pak-Afghan border region, Pakistan will not allow anyone to use its soil against Afghanistan and Law Enforcing Agencies (LEAs) to take concrete measures against violators,” warned the COAS.

General Raheel said that peace and stability along Pak-Afghan border remains top priority, towards which we the army stands committed. Border management and dignified repatriation of Afghan refugees were important enablers for lasting peace, he added.

“Our efforts for peace in Afghanistan have been acknowledged while we are committed to facilitate the reconciliation process with sincerity, commitment and resolve, we expect non-use of Afghanistan territory against Pakistan,” he said.

Earlier on arrival on the front lines, the COAS was received by Corps Commander Peshawar Lieutenant General HidayatUr Rehman.