Alive to threat, ever ready to respond: General Qamar Javed Bajwa

RAWALPINDI: Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa says the Pakistan Army is fully alive to the threat spectrum and will remain ever ready to play its role in line with the national aspirations.

The COAS on Sunday visited the Line of Control (LoC) in Puna Sector and spent Eid with troops, said the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) in a statement. Gen Bajwa offered Eid prayers at the frontline and prayed for peace, progress, and prosperity of Pakistan in these difficult times.

He particularly sought Allah Almighty’s blessings for the nation to overcome the Covid-19 pandemic. Talking to the troops, the COAS lauded their professionalism, operational preparedness, befitting response to Indian ceasefire violations (CFVs) and morale in the face of evolving challenges. "Performing ones duty away from home even on such festive occasions is a soldier’s pride and we shall continue to do so with utmost commitment and unflinching resolve," he emphasised.

Pakistan Army, he said was observing Eid solemnly in solidarity with Kashmiris under Indian occupation particularly since 5th August 2019''s illegal, inhuman lockdown and ensuing atrocities. Bajwa said India was trying to shift the global attention away from worsening humanitarian crisis and violence in the Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IOJ&K) to LoC by targeting innocent civilians across the LoC. "Kashmir is a disputed territory and any attempt to challenge its disputed status and any political cum military thought related to aggression will be responded with full national resolve and military might,” said Gen Bajwa.

Disturbing the strategic stability matrix in South Asia can lead to dire consequences, he added. "He expressed hope that the international community would weigh in to ensure freedom of movement for UNMOGIP operations inside IOJK, as ensured by Pakistan in AJK, so that the tragic consequences of ongoing atrocities and inhuman clampdown inside occupied territory was reported to the United Nations Security Council and the world at large.

Indian occupying forces can never suppress the valiant spirit of Kashmiris who rightfully await plebiscite under the UN resolution. Regardless of ordeal, their struggle is destined to succeed, InshaAllah, the COAS said.