KEY POINTS
- COAS General Munir reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to regional peace but underscored its readiness to defend national interests
- General Munir witnesses Exercise Hammer Strike by Mangla Strike Corps
- The exercise tested combat readiness and featured advanced weapon systems, fighter aircraft, and precision artillery
RAWALPINDI: Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Syed Asim Munir on Thursday said that Pakistan remained committed to regional peace however any military misadventure by India will be met with a “swift, resolute, and notch-up response”.
“Let there be no ambiguity: any military misadventure by India will be met with a swift, resolute, and notch-up response. While Pakistan remains committed to regional peace, our preparedness and resolve to safeguard national interests is absolute,” Army Chief General Munir stated as quoted by the military’s media wing Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).
Tensions between the nuclear-armed neighbours have escalated since the April 22 attack in Pahalgam, which killed 26 tourists. India swiftly blamed Pakistan for the incident without presenting any credible evidence.
Pakistan has condemned the incident and denied involvement. Pakistan also offered a neutral, independent and transparent investigation into the Pahalgam incident. India has yet to respond to Pakistan’s offer for neutral probe.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS) visited the Tilla Field Firing Ranges (TFFR) on Wednesday to witness Exercise Hammer Strike—a high-intensity, field training exercise conducted by Pakistan Army’s Mangla Strike Corps, ISPR stated. Upon arrival, the Army Chief was received by the Corps Commander.
Addressing the troops, the COAS reaffirmed the unyielding resolve of Pakistan’s Armed Forces to defend the nation’s sovereignty and territorial integrity at all costs.
The exercise was meticulously designed to validate combat readiness, battlefield synergy, and the operational integration of cutting-edge weapon systems under near-battlefield conditions.
A diverse array of advanced capabilities, including multirole fighter aircraft, combat aviation assets, long-range precision artillery, and next-generation field engineering techniques, were employed to simulate conventional battlefield scenarios.
Troops from all arms and services demonstrated exceptional tactical cohesion, agility, and lethality during synchronized offensive manoeuvres – reflecting an extraordinary level of training and professionalism.
Notably, the exercise showcased Pakistan Army’s increasing absorption of niche and emerging technologies to augment its kinetic and non-kinetic operational capabilities.
During the visit, COAS General Munir lauded the high morale, combat proficiency, and warfighting spirit of the officers and troops, terming them the embodiment of Pakistan Army’s operational excellence.
Exercise Hammer Strike stands as a testament to Pakistan Army’s pursuit of continuous transformation through rigorous training, doctrinal innovation, and technological modernization.
Senior military leadership, formation commanders, and dignitaries from various services witnessed the exercise.
Pakistan conducts major military drills
Pakistan Army conducted large-scale military exercises on Thursday, demonstrating combat readiness and advanced firepower amid escalating tensions with India after the Pahalgam incident.
According to media reports citing security sources, the exercises involved live-fire demonstrations and were designed to deliver a robust response to any aggression by the adversary.
Officers and troops from various units took part in the drills, displaying high-level operational skills and using advanced battlefield systems.
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The exercises followed Pakistan’s retaliatory action on Wednesday when troops destroyed an Indian check post in response to unprovoked small-arms fire from across the Line of Control (LoC) in the Kiani and Mandal sectors.
Security officials said the retaliatory strikes neutralised enemy positions, including the Chakputra post in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).
Pakistan, India tensions
The Pahalgam incident has triggered a series of retaliatory diplomatic and strategic steps. A day after the incident, India suspended the Indus Waters Treaty, cancelled visas for Pakistanis, and shut down the Wagah-Attari border crossing.
Pakistan responded by expelling Indian diplomats, threatening to suspend the Simla Agreement, suspending visas for Indian nationals—excluding Sikh pilgrims—and closing the main crossing from its side.
Both countries’ troops reportedly exchanged small arms fire along the Line of Control (LoC) in AJK for the seventh night since April 25, Reuters reported.
Pakistan’s state media on Wednesday reported that the Pakistan Army responded to overnight unprovoked Indian firing on the LoC.
In a series of escalatory developments, Indian fighter jets patrolling above the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir overnight on Tuesday were forced to retreat after the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) scrambled its jets.
On Tuesday, the Pakistan Army had shot down two Indian quadcopters after they violated the country’s airspace along the LoC in two separate areas of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, official sources said.
