LAHORE, Jan 13: The army cannot remain negligent of its security needs in the wake of Indian amassing of arms and ammunition on our borders and reserve the right for a “matching response” to foil any act of aggression.

This was stated by Vice-Chief of Army Staff Gen Muhammad Yusuf Khan on Sunday. He was speaking to the troops during his visit to various defensive locations here.

He was accompanied by Crop Commander Lt-Gen Zarrar Azim, General Officer Commanding Maj-Gen Muhammad Afzal Muzaffar and Maj-Gen Ahmad Nawaz Saleem Mela.

The VCOAS said that army had completed reinforcements of arms and equipment needed to beef up its defence and adequately prepared to frustrate any evil designs.

He exhorted the troops to make concerted and sustained efforts to maintain high stage of alert and equip themselves with dignity, courage and determination in line of their duty.

The entire nation is standing behind its armed forces and the army will live up to their expectations. “We cannot afford to sit idle in wake of massive arms build up and any attempt of aggression thrust on our homeland shall prove more deadly and devastating for the initiator,” he said.

He extolled the troops to master their professional skills and devote all their energies to cement their defence as it was not only a national but religious duty as well.