Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa on Tuesday praised the “exemplary performance of young officers and sacrifices rendered by them during security operations” in the country, said a statement from the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).

The army chief also said that young officers are his pride and the nation owes its peace and stability to their devotion.

Gen Bajwa was on a visit of Bahawalpur Garrison, and was given a detailed briefing on operational preparedness and ongoing internal security operations, added the ISPR statement.

The military’s media wing said the army chief expressed satisfaction on the operational preparedness of the corps, which is responsible for operations in the southern Punjab area of operations.

“The war against terrorism has made our army battle hardened which makes our soldiers better prepared for conventional war,” said Bajwa while addressing the soldiers at the garrison.

Gen Bajwa also inaugurated Combined Military Hospital Institute of Medical Sciences (CIMS) at Bahawalpur.

The first batch of 100 MBBS students will be inducted this year and 50 BDS students will be added from next year onwards.

Bajwa said the army is “significantly contributing to nation building and CIMS Bahawalpur is another addition in this regard”.