ISLAMABAD: Military commanders on Tuesday expressed satisfaction over the operational readiness of troops.

The Inter-Services Public Rela­tions (ISPR), army’s public affairs division, in a statement on the monthly corps commanders meeting at the General Headquarters, which is attended by the military’s top brass, said that operational readiness and evolving threat spectrum was reviewed in the context of external and internal security dynamics.

The meeting chaired by Army Chief Gen Qamar Bajwa was attended by corps commanders and principal staff officers.

“COAS complimented efforts put in by all formations to maintain high level of combat readiness particularly in the wake of evolving regional security situation,” ISPR said.

Army chief lauds efforts in aid of civil administration in fight against Covid-19 and locust swarms

“COAS expressed complete satisfaction with overall operational readiness of Army as the forum reiterated resolve to thwart any threat to Pakistan’s security,” it added.

Pakistan is faced with a precarious security environment because of India’s hostile designs, hegemonic and expansionist policy, and aggressive objectives. The need for maintaining high level of vigilance and preparedness has grown because of Delhi’s growing arsenal and military capabilities, it said.

Unresolved Kashmir dispute, which has become more complicated due to India’s illegal annexation of occupied territory last year, is another major factor keeping the regional security situation volatile.

“Taking special note of continued atrocities in Indian Occupied Jammu & Kashmir as illegal actions of August 5, 2019 complete one-year next month, forum paid tribute to brave Kashmiris for their legitimate struggle for freedom,” ISPR said.

On the domestic front, a marked uptick in violence was noted last month, especially in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. There was also an attempt by Baloch insurgents to attack Pakistan Stock Exchange in Karachi on June 29.

Those trends have continued in July as well. There was an IED explosion in Turbat on Tuesday targeting a vehicle of Frontier Corps, while last week militants ambushed a security forces convoy in Balochistan’s Gichak area. Several troops were, moreover, martyred in an intelligence based operation in Boya near Miramshah on July 12 in which four terrorists were killed.

These acts of terrorism are allegedly being perpetrated through Indian involvement.

At the same time the army troops have been busy helping civilian authorities fight against the Covid-19 pandemic and the desert locust invasion.

“COAS especially lauded efforts in aid of civil administration in fight against Covid -19 and Locust,” ISPR said.

The army chief specially emphasised the need for preserving the gains made in the fight against Covid-19 during upcoming Eid-ul-Azha and Muharram, when sharp increase in people-to-people contact is expected, which may cause new corona spikes.

According to the Covid-19 portal, managed by the Ministry of National Health Services, a declining trend has been visible in the number of cases since the start of the month and on July 20, 1,013 new cases were reported — the lowest since the first week of May.

“Stressing the need to exercise maximum care with respect to Eid Ul Azha and Muharram to maintain the gains achieved in countering the pandemic, forum also appreciated efforts of doctors, healthcare workers, paramedics across the country,” ISPR said.

Published in Dawn, July 22nd, 2020