RAWALPINDI: Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) Gen­eral Qamar Javed Bajwa on Thursday visited Bahadur Ranges near Attock to witness, “Fajr-ul-Sharq 1”, a joint exercise between Pakistan and Jordan.

According to the military’s media wing, the two-week counterterrorism training aimed at sharing mutual experiences.

The COAS lauded the participants for displaying good conduct and high standards of professional competence.

Joint exercises improve professional expertise in counterterrorism operations, he said, adding that the nature and character of war had changed where direct conflict had become an un-preferred choice.

He said Pakistan armed forces were fully trained and ready for response to a full spectrum of threats and “our achievements in counterterrorism operations are being taken as successful case studies’’.

Pakistan had defeated terrorism, he said, and was now in the consolidation phase where engagement was beneficial for mutual learning.

The COAS thanked the Jordanian contingent for participation in the first collaboration between the two forces and expressed his desire to continue mutual cooperation.

Earlier on his arrival, the COAS was received by Peshawar Corps Comman­der Lt Gen Nazir Ahmed Butt and Inspector General Training and Evalutaion Lt Gen Hidayatur Rehman. The Special Services Group General Officer Comman­ding was also present on the occasion.

Published in Dawn, December 30th, 2016