Nations perish if they forget their martyrs: COAS

Ag INP

RAWALPINDI: Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa said on Wednesday that nations perish if they forget their martyrs.

He said, "When nation stands united, solution to every issue comes on the way."

He said that it is something great that there are such fathers who are always ready to sacrifice their sons on the country. He said, "We are asked how we have overcome the scourge of terrorism and we have one answer -- unity of the nation.

Paying rich tribute to Shahuda and Ghazis, the Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa has said that the country achieved peace and stability owing to the selfless devotion and sacrifices of these officers and soldiers who are nation’s real heroes.

"We owe peace and stability to the selfless devotion and sacrifices of these officers and soldiers who are our real heroes," the COAS said.

The Army Chief was speaking at the investiture ceremony held at General Headquarters here on Wednesday. General Qamar Javed Bajwa conferred military awards on army personnel for acts of gallantry during operations.

“We owe peace and stability to the selfless devotion and sacrifices of these officers and soldiers who are our real heroes,” the COAS said.

He said that there is no noble cause than laying one's life for defence of motherland and the sacrifices of martyrs would not go waste.

Families of Shahuda and Ghazis also attended the ceremony.

According to ISPR, 35 officers were awarded Sitara-i-Imtiaz (Military), 36 officers and soldiers were awarded Tamgha-e-Bisalat and seven soldiers were awarded United Nations (UN) Medal.

Medals of Shuhada were received by the members of their families.

The COAS lauded brave families of Shahuda for supreme sacrifices they rendered for the country.

Meanwhile, a group of international media journalists mostly India based and ambassadors/ defence attachés of various countries in Pakistan visited impact site of 26 February Indian air violation, near Jabba, Balakot.

Director General, Inter-Services Public Relation, Major General Asif Ghafoor briefed the group about details of the event negating repeated false Indian claims with ground realities. Visitors were shown bomb craters of denied Indian air strike attempt in barren open spaces with no loss to life or infrastructure. Group also visited nearby madrassa claimed by India for having been struck and killing scores of terrorists. Visitors freely interacted with student children and teachers and saw for themselves that madrassa stood on ground untouched with only innocent local children undergoing education.

The DG ISPR reiterated that India, instead of pursuing false claims, should accept the reality, and stay as a responsible state for peace in the region and especially to look inward to identify reasons for out-of-hand situation inside Indian Held Jammu & Kashmir.

Later, the group visited APS Swat, a state of the art education facility with computer and science labs, Auditorium and sports stadium. This was established by Pakistan Army as a gift for resilient people of Swat in recognition of their contributions and sacrifices in defeating terrorism as terrorists had specially targeted educational institutions during the unrest.

Later, the group also visited Sabaoon (morning light) de-radicalisation Centre Malakand a rehabilitation facility for psychologically treating indoctrinated Juvenile and help them return to normal life and become useful citizens of society.