Army chief appreciates troops’ combat readiness during LoC visit

Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa visited forward areas along the Line of Control (LoC) on Thursday and was briefed on the ground situation along the de facto border and operational preparedness of the formation, the military’s media wing said.

The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement that Gen Qamar interacted with the troops deployed along LoC in Kot Kotera Sector.

“[The] COAS appreciated their combat readiness and high state of morale,” the ISPR quoted the army chief as saying.

“Continuous vigil and readiness to counter all threats and contingencies is vital for ensuring security along the LoC,” he added.

Earlier, on arrival at the LoC, the COAS was received by Corps Commander Lieutenant General Sahir Shamshad Mirza.

Also read: High-level OIC delegation visits Pakistan-India de facto border

Approximately 185 people have been martyred and 875 were injured as a result of Indian aggression across the LoC in Azad Kashmir during the last five years.

According to a document available with The Express Tribune, the civilian population living along the LoC has been badly affected as a result of unprovoked fire by India.

Indian shelling has damaged 2,130 houses and shops, 393 livestock and 58 vehicles.

The federal government in October this year had approved a development package worth over Rs3.61 billion to protect the population of the border areas, including the construction of 773 bunkers and 178km of roads.