PAF carries out exercises at Siachen

Forward operating base in GB made fully operational; air chief says enemies to face befitting response for any misadventure

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) on Wednesday carried out exercises at Siachen as the PAF Base Qadri, the forward operating base in Gilgit-Baltistan, was made fully operational. Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman visited the PAF Base Qadri and flew an exercise mission in a Mirage aircraft. On his arrival at the base, he was received by Air Vice Marshal Athar Shams, Air Officer Commanding, Northern Air Command.

The air chief stated that the nation should not be worried over threatening statements of the enemy as the PAF alongside other defence forces was ever ready to take on all kinds of challenges with operational preparedness and immaculate synergy. “We, as a nation, are peace loving people but if subjected to any kind of misadventure, the adversary will have to face a befitting response,” he said.

While talking about PAF’s leading role in operation Zarb-e-Azb and operation Raddul Fasaad, he highlighted that the PAF has carried out these operations with exemplary professionalism and did all tasks with zero collateral damage. Terming the JF-17 fighter jet as the ‘destiny of Pakistan’, he said its most significant aspect is that it has been indigenously manufactured in Pakistan. He further said that the technology of JF-17 Thunder is being consistently improved to bring it at par with its contemporaries. He added that it is a matter of pride for us that the production of JF-17 Thunder has been increased three fold in past couple of years. While interacting with the PAF personnel at the base, he lauded their level of motivation and thorough professionalism.