MUZAFFARABAD: Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) President Sardar Masood Khan on Friday said India should realise that the armed forces of Pakistan were fully vigilant and would foil any aggression against the integrity and solidarity of the country.

“The nation is proud of the armed forces for the way they dealt with India’s cowardly act of aggression in the dead of night recently,” the president observed, while speaking as chief guest at the passing-out parade in Mujahid Force Centre, Bhimber.

He was referring to the release of payload by Indian jets near Balakot on the night of Feb 26 and its response by Pakistan Air Force on the following day in the shape of downing of two Indian jets in Bhimber district.

Mr Khan pointed out that the past 71 years’ history bore testimony to the fact that Pakistan’s forces had not only effectively defended the frontiers of the country but also played a vanguard role in protecting lives and properties of the people during natural calamities.

He said he felt proud of the territory of Bhimber which had produced so many officers and soldiers for the armed forces of the country.

While strongly condemning Indian firing from across the LoC, the president noted that India had been constantly violating ceasefire agreement to dislodge civilian population residing along the unmarked dividing line.

“But whenever India has tried to launch any aggression, our valiant forces backed by equally valiant civilians has thwarted its designs befittingly. In this regard the Mujahid Force has also played its part commendably,” he maintained.

Earlier, the president, who was accompanied by AJK’s Senior Minister Chaudhry Tariq Farooq, was warmly welcomed by the General Officer Commanding Maj Gen Salman, the centre’s Commandant Brig Kamran and other officials.

Published in Dawn, April 20th, 2019