'No better way to celebrate independence than by defending Pakistan': COAS

Published August 14, 2017
COAS Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa visits troops stationed at the LoC. ─ Photo courtesy ISPR
COAS Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa visits troops stationed at the LoC. ─ Photo courtesy ISPR

Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa visited troops deployed at Line of Control (LoC) on Monday, Pakistan's 70th anniversary of Independence, and lauded the motivation and spirit of the troops, an Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) handout said.

Gen Bajwa was briefed about recent ceasefire violations across the LoC and the response of Pakistani troops to cross-border firing, the statement by the army's media wing said.

He said that there was no better way to celebrate independence than by defending the country.

"Indian atrocities have not been able to deter the spirit" of the brave Kashmiris in India-held Kashmir, the COAS stated, vowing to stand by them in their struggle.

Gen Bajwa was received by Commander Rawalpindi Corps, Lieutenant General Nadeem Raza on his arrival.

Earlier, Pakistan Rangers officials presented sweets to Indian Border Security Force personnel at the Wagah Border to celebrate the independence day. General Bajwa also hoisted the largest national flag in the history of Pakistan at the Wagah Border.

The LoC that splits the disputed Himalayan region of Kashmir between nuclear armed India and Pakistan has been regularly witnessing cross border shelling for quite some time that has left scores of civilian dead or wounded in Azad Jammu Kashmir (AJK).

According to officials, as many as 24 civilians living along the LoC in AJK have lost their lives to India’s “unprovoked and indiscriminate shelling” since January this year, while the number of injured is more than 165.

Opinion

Editorial

Agriculture concerns
24 Jun, 2025

Agriculture concerns

PRIME Minister Shehbaz Sharif appears relieved that the IMF did not turn down Pakistan’s request to exempt...
OIC reaction
24 Jun, 2025

OIC reaction

THE OIC has, over the decades, been known to issue strong statements and not do much else when it comes to critical...
NEVs, but for whom?
24 Jun, 2025

NEVs, but for whom?

THE government’s policy gymnastics following Pakistan’s unexpectedly rapid adoption of rooftop solar have ...
US aggression
Updated 23 Jun, 2025

US aggression

If there is any state in the world that the international community must be concerned about harbouring weapons of mass destruction, it is Israel.
Finishing the job
23 Jun, 2025

Finishing the job

THE federal health minister’s assertion of a 99pc reduction in polio cases in Pakistan, while impressive on the...
Exam leaks
23 Jun, 2025

Exam leaks

FOR students who put in countless hours of hard work for their secondary school exams — mainly to secure admission...