COAS stresses need to enhance combat readiness amid ‘evolving regional milieu’

Increased cease fire violations (CFVs) along the Line of Control (LoC) and targeting of civil population by the Indian military and blatant human rights violations in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) were noted by the top military leadership of the country on Wednesday as major cause of concern for regional peace and stability.

The 235th Corps Commanders’ Conference, presided by Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa, was held at GHQ in Rawalpindi, the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement.

The meeting took place the same day a Pakistani soldier embraced martyrdom in yet another incident of ceasefire violation along the LoC. The Pakistani military also shot down another Indian spying quadcopter that intruded into the country’s airspace along the Line of Control earlier in the day.

This was the 11th Indian drone shot down by Pakistan Army this year.

The Indian troops have so far committed at least 2,192 ceasefire violations this year.

Indian ceasefire violations along LoC have witnessed a surge since the abrogation of the constitutional status of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir in August last year.

The forum was briefed on evolving regional environment and operational developments especially situation along the LoC, Pakistan’s positive role and contributions in Afghanistan peace process, situation along western border including fencing progress and Operation Radd-ul-Fasaad.

The military has completed fencing of 1,700 km of the total 2,611 km long Pakistan-Afghanistan and Pakistan-Iran borders in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) and Balochistan. The fence is provided with security cameras and motion detectors.

More than 1,000 border forts and posts had been planned out of which more than 40O have already been completed.

"Covid-19, locust control measures and support to national polio campaign also came under discussion," the statement added.

The top military huddle expressed satisfaction over positive developments and indicators in all domains and improved security situation across the country.

The military's media wing said that the forum extensively deliberated upon prevalent situation inside IIOJK and evolving situation in Afghanistan with impact on Pakistan’s security dynamics.

The COAS stressed upon the need to enhance combat readiness levels in the wake of evolving strategic and regional milieu.

"5th generation warfare and hybrid application by anti-Pakistan elements against Pakistan’s vital interests must be safeguarded in synchronisation with government policies," the army chief reiterated.

Gen Qamar lauded formations’ operational readiness and sustained efforts during internal security employment in aid of civil power particularly the efforts during Muharram and flood relief duties.

The COAS appreciated high state of morale in the army and directed commanders to ensure welfare of troops during prolonged and extensive operational and internal security deployments.