COAS discusses bilateral defence ties with chief of South African army

General Raheel Sharif is on a three-day official visit to South Africa

RAWALPINDI: Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif on Monday discussed matters of mutual interest and bilateral defence ties with his South African counterpart Lieutenant General V R Masondo.

According to an ISPR statement, Gen Sharif, who has arrived in South Africa on a three-day official visit, called on the South African Army Chief at the Army HQs.

General Mosondo lauded the professional prowess and sacrifices of Pakistan Army in successfully fighting terrorists and showed keenness in bolstering mutually beneficial defence ties between both the countries.

Read: Army completes 'preliminary' phase of Shawal operation

Met SAArmy Chief Gen Masondo. Bilateral def ties discussed.Lauded professional prowess,sacrifices of Pak Army in fighting terrorism-2

— Gen(R) Asim Saleem Bajwa (@AsimBajwaISPR) July 6, 2015

Early during the day, the COAS was presented a 21-gun salute, and guard of honour by a contingent of the South African Army.

#COAS in South Africa on 3 day official bilateral visit.SA Army Chief recd.Presented 21 guns salute,guard of honour-1 pic.twitter.com/ymOhxq6T3F

— Gen(R) Asim Saleem Bajwa (@AsimBajwaISPR) July 6, 2015

Gen Sharif was also given detailed briefing on operational and training matters of South African Army.

Further, the army chief met Chief of South African National Defence Forces (SANDF) Gen Solly Zacharia Shoke.

He also visited defence production facilities of South Africa to see possibilities of enhancing defence collaboration and training exchanges between both the countries.

#COAS visited SA def production facilities to see possibilities of enhancing defence collaboration,training exchanges b/w both countries-3

— Gen(R) Asim Saleem Bajwa (@AsimBajwaISPR) July 6, 2015

Gen Raheel inspecting def equipment while visiting South Africa pic.twitter.com/7CjcNhaIVj

— Gen(R) Asim Saleem Bajwa (@AsimBajwaISPR) July 6, 2015