PM Nawaz, Gen Raheel inspect 'combat-readiness' of troops with Raad-ul-Barq

Military exercise comes days after seven Pak Army soldiers were killed in cross-border firing across the LoC.
Published November 18, 2016

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Chief of Army Staff Gen Raheel Sharif on Wednesday inspected the military exercises Raad-ul-Barq conducted by the Pakistan Army and Pakistan Air Force at Khairpur Tamewali near Bahawalpur, a strategic area near the border.

The exercise, held just days after seven Pakistani soldiers were killed in cross-border firing across the Line of Control, was intended to survey the combat-readiness of troops.

PM Nawaz warned against "any ambitious and reckless move by enemies", saying that the exercises reflect the preparedness of Pakistan's armed forces to "respond to any threat to national security."

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif (R) sits next to Army Chief General Raheel Sharif in an army vehicle. — AFP
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif (R) sits next to Army Chief General Raheel Sharif in an army vehicle. — AFP

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Army Chief General Raheel Sharif watch military exercises.— Reuters
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Army Chief General Raheel Sharif watch military exercises.— Reuters

Pakistan Army soldiers use multi-barrel rocket launchers to hit their targets during military exercise Raad ul Barq at a strategic area along the border with India in Khairpure Tamewali in Bahawalpur district. ─ AFP
Pakistan Army soldiers use multi-barrel rocket launchers to hit their targets during military exercise Raad ul Barq at a strategic area along the border with India in Khairpure Tamewali in Bahawalpur district. ─ AFP

Pakistan Army tanks advance during military exercise at a strategic area along the border with India. — AFP
Pakistan Army tanks advance during military exercise at a strategic area along the border with India. — AFP

Tanks fire during military exercises in Bahawalpur, Pakistan. — Reuters
Tanks fire during military exercises in Bahawalpur, Pakistan. — Reuters

A rocket is fired during military exercise Raad ul Barq at a strategic area along the border with India. — Reuters
A rocket is fired during military exercise Raad ul Barq at a strategic area along the border with India. — Reuters