Responding to disasters a hallmark of the army: Gen Sharif

Army chief says their highest state of operational readiness has always acted as the best deterrence against enemies.

RAWALPINDI: As late monsoon rains caused havoc in parts of Azad Jammu Kashmir and Punjab, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif said on Friday that the army’s ever readiness to respond to any internal threat and disaster as a first-responder, has been their hallmark.

With casualties topping 50, rains continued to lash parts of Punjab and AJK, causing Jhelum and Chenab to swell to exceptionally high flood. The army had on Thursday mobilised troops for relief activities in Sialkot, Narowal, Headmarla, Wazirabad. Troops had also been put on stand-by in Shahdara and Lahore.

According to an Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR), while visiting the Corps Headquarters in Multan on Friday, the Army chief said that the army's state of operational readiness always acted as the best deterrence against enemies of Pakistan.

Earlier, the COAS was given detailed briefing on operational, training and administrative matters of the corps.

During his visit, the COAS witnessed field training of an armoured formation in the ambit of Corps Operation, comprising armour, artillery, Infantry, air defence and the light commando battalion.

The Army chief lauded the standard of training of the participating troops and underlined the need for use of modern technology to enhance the training standards with better economy of resources.

COAS also visited other training facilities at Multan garrison.

Later, the COAS laid down the foundation stone of Multan Institute of Medical Sciences.

Earlier, up on arrival, the COAS was received by Commander Multan Corps Lieutenant General Abid Pervaiz.