COAS says Nasr has put cold water on India's Cold Start doctrine

RAWALPINDI: As Pakistan successfully undertook a series of test fire of surface-to-surface ballistic missile Nasr, Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa on Wednesday said that Nasr has put cold water on Cold Start.

The army chief witnessed the training launch of short range ballistic missile Nasr. “You are our real heroes, the unseen, we owe you our gratitude,” the COAS remarked while addressing the scientists and military officials after witnessing the test fire.

“Pakistan has successfully undertaken a series of training launches and tests and trials during the current week for validation of new technical parameters of Nasr with enhanced range from 60 kilometres to 70 kilometres and flight manoeuvrability,” the ISPR said.

This weapon system will augment credible deterrence against prevailing threat spectrum more effectively including anti-missile defences. NASR is a high precision weapon system with the ability of quick deployments.

The COAS appreciated the standard of training and operational preparedness of the Army Strategic Force and congratulated the scientists and engineers on achieving this significant milestone towards Pakistan’s credible deterrence capability.

He expressed complete confidence in effective command, control, safety and security of all strategic assets and measures being taken to augment these. General Bajwa said war adding that Pakistan’s strategic capability is a guarantee of peace against a highly militarised and increasingly belligerent neighbour. 

He said that Pakistan would go to any length to ensure regional peace and stability. “We wholeheartedly support all government efforts for peace through dialogue. Our capability is only meant to ensure, no one thinks war remains an option,” he said.

Director General Strategic Plans Division, Lieutenant General Mazhar Jamil, Commander Army Strategic Force Command, Lieutenant General Mian Muhammad Hilal Hussain, Chairman Nescom, Dr Nabeel Hayat Malik, scientists and engineers of strategic organisations also witnessed the launch. 

Chairman JCSC, Chief of Air Staff and Chief of Naval Staff have congratulated the strategic forces on the achievement. President Mamnoon Hussain and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif while conveying their appreciation have lauded the efforts of all those involved in the missile tests and trials.