Army chief visits Line of Control: Fully prepared to thwart any misadventure, says Gen Bajwa

RAWALPINDI: Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa reiterated on Monday there would never be a compromise on Kashmir and that Pakistan’s quest for peace should not be mistaken as weakness.

According to Director General Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Maj-Gen Asif Ghafoor, the Army chief visited the Line of Control (LoC) where he also spoke to the troops deployed there. “There will never be a compromise on Kashmir whatever the cost. We are capable & fully prepared to thwart any misadventure/aggression for defence of our motherland,” Gen Bajwa was quoted as saying by the DG ISPR’s tweet.

Last week, Maj-Gen Ghafoor clarified no “major exchange of fire in Kiran or Neelum valley as being propagated by Indian Media” had taken place. The tweet from the DG ISPR came after reports claimed heavy exchange of fire had been taking place between Pakistani and Indian armed forces at Neelum Valley.

On December 19, two civilians were martyred and as many were injured after India resorted to unprovoked shelling across the LoC.

Meanwhile, Pakistan and Japan on Monday reiterated their desire to enhance bilateral relations, including efforts for peace and security in the region. This resolve was expressed in a meeting between Army chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa and Sonoura Kentaro, Special Adviser for Foreign Affairs to Japan’s President Shinzo Abe.

During the meeting, matters of mutual interest including overall regional security situation were discussed, the military’s media wing said in a statement.

Visiting dignitary appreciated and acknowledged Pakistan’s positive role in the region. Both reiterated the desire to further enhance bilateral relations, including efforts for peace and security in the region,” the ISPR said.

Earlier on Monday Kentaro met Foreign Secretary Sohail Mahmood in Islamabad. The two held wide ranging discussions on Pakistan-Japan relations and ways to further strengthen Tokyo and Islamabad’s growing partnership in diverse fields.

Pakistan and Japan also formally signed a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) for import of skilled Pakistani manpower.