Pakistan stands with Turkey in fight against terrorism: army chief

Gen Raheel assures Turkish army chief ‘unflinching support’ during visit in the aftermath of Ankara terrorist attack

Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif has said both Pakistan and Turkey will fight terrorism with a "coherent and common approach."

“Pakistan and Turkey are facing daunting challenges. I am sure we will surmount them with a common and coherent approach," the army chief was quoted as saying by the ISPR. "We assure you our unflinching support."

Pak&Turkey facing daunting challenges.I am sure we will surmount them with a common&coherent apch.We assure you our unflinching support-5

— Gen(R) Asim Saleem Bajwa (@AsimBajwaISPR) October 12, 2015

General Raheel, who is on a three-day official visit to Turkey, assured on Monday the Turkish army chief Hulusi Akar that Pakistan understood the enormity of challenges being faced by Turkey, and stood by the brotherly country.

#COAS arrives Turkey for 3 days official visit.visited,Laid wreath at Kamal Ata Turk Mausoleum at Ankara-1 pic.twitter.com/YgKfB1H182

— Gen(R) Asim Saleem Bajwa (@AsimBajwaISPR) October 12, 2015

#COAS expressed heartfelt condolences on Ankara terrorist blast.We understand enormity of your challenges&stand by you-3

— Gen(R) Asim Saleem Bajwa (@AsimBajwaISPR) October 12, 2015

He also expressed condolences on the recent terrorist attack in Ankara.

Read: War against militancy: No space for new terror outfits, warns army chief

#COAS expressed heartfelt condolences on Ankara terrorist blast.We understand enormity of your challenges&stand by you-3

— Gen(R) Asim Saleem Bajwa (@AsimBajwaISPR) October 12, 2015

At least 86 people were killed when two suspected suicide bombers hit a rally of pro-Kurdish and leftist activists outside Ankara’s main train station on Saturday.

The two military leaders also discussed to enhance cooperation in the fields of counter-terrorism.

Interaction with Turkish Army Chief;#COAS discussed enhanced coop in Fd of Ctr terrorism Trg,Ctr IED&int domain-4 pic.twitter.com/hUYaJ1U0tb

— Gen(R) Asim Saleem Bajwa (@AsimBajwaISPR) October 12, 2015

Earlier on his arrival, the army chief was presented a guard of honour by the Turkish land forces at the forces' headquarters.

The COAS also visited the mausoleum of Kamal Ataturk, the founder of modern-day Turkey and laid floral wreath at the grave.

Read: Pakistan bound to defeat all perpetrators of terrorism: Army chief

#COAS visited,was presented guard of honor at Turkish Land Forces HQ.Our brotherly relation is time tested,eternal-2 pic.twitter.com/ckUeAQtnkD

— Gen(R) Asim Saleem Bajwa (@AsimBajwaISPR) October 12, 2015

Meanwhile, General Raheel was awarded the Turkish Legend of Merit for his services towards regional peace and handling the menace of terrorism, clarity in direction and sense of purpose in leading Pakistan Army and fighting the terrorists in an exemplary way.