Passing out: Terrorised recruits complete training

1,539 recruits graduate from Punjab Regiment Centre.

MARDAN:

A total of 1,539 recruits, who survived a deadly suicide attack on February 10 last year, passed out at Punjab Regiment Centre (PRC) here on Friday. A suicide bomber clad in a school uniform targeted a parade here on February 10, killing 31 recruits and injuring 22.

Corps Commander Lt Gen Asif Yasin Malik was the chief guest on the occasion. He reviewed the parade and distributed medals and trophies among recruits and companies for their excellent performance during training.

The corps commander said, “Today is of great significance to your military life, which will be full of thrills and challenges that require utmost devotion, dedication and sacrifice.” He added that the history of Pakistan Army and Punjab Regiment is full of chivalry and heroes that inspired courage and bravery.

Gen Malik said, “In every testing situation, Pakistan army has lived up to the expectations of the nation.”

“The success of the Pakistan army against militants in Swat and Fata was globally acknowledged. This was only possible due to the supreme sacrifice of more than 3,000 troops,” he added.

The general said that the army had rescued 100,000 people trapped in devastating floods, treated more than one million patients and distributed 4,000 tons of food among flood affected people. Besides this the army is actively participatin in relief and reconstruction works in the flood-hit areas, he added.

The champions trophy was awarded to Tufial Company, while recruit Anwar Aziz from Zafar Company grabbed the overall best position award. Muhammad Shehzad, Amir Farooq, Muhammad Manzoor, Muhammad Ashraf, Muhammad Farooq Yusuf, Muhammad Husnain, Muhammad Umair also received medals and certificates for their performance.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 02^nd, 2011.