Pakistan conducts military exercise close to Indian border

Pakistan will give a “befitting response” to any “ambitious and reckless move” by its enemies, Prime Minster Nawaz Sharif warned on Wednesday as he witnessed a military exercise in a strategically located area in Punjab province, bordering India.

“Exercise Raad ul Barq (Strike of Thunder) establishes that Pakistan is ready to confront any ambitious and reckless move by its enemies,” Sharif said, while addressing a ceremony, marking the culmination of military exercise in Khairpur Tamewali in Bahawalpur in Punjab, amid growing Indo-Pak tension.

“These exercises reflect the preparedness of our armed forces to respond to any threat to national security,” he said, adding that no country can remain oblivious to threats to its national security.

According to officials, the Prime Minister was the chief guest at the event, which was also attended by Army chief General Raheel Sharif, Chiefs of Staff Committee General Rashad Mahmoud and the three services chiefs.

JF-17 thunder fighter jets, helicopter gunships and Al-Khalid tanks hit designated targets on the ground during the military exercise, which comes a few days after seven Pakistani soldiers were killed along the LoC.

Sharif said his government was committed to following a policy of non-interference in other countries’ internal affairs and expected the same from others to enable lasting peace in the region, Radio Pakistan reported. “We cannot remain detached from recent developments in the region. Efforts to harm security and territorial integrity will be met with befitting response,” Sharif said.

Referring to Jammu and Kashmir, he said it remains the core issue of contention between Pakistan and India.

“It must be addressed in a sincere and comprehensive manner, keeping with the aspirations of Kashmiri people and relevant UN resolutions,” Sharif said.

“The brutal tactics used to curb recent spontaneous and indigenous movements in Jammu and Kashmir have been counter-productive...Killing of civilians and soldiers along the LoC is another act of aggression that warrants international attention,” he added. 

He added: “The situation at the border remains sensitive due to India’s grave violation of  the ceasefire agreement.” 

He said: “It is extremely unfortunate that South  Asia remains prone to confrontation and the security situation remains fragile.” The Prime Minister said enemies of Pakistan have made their intentions well known. He said terrorism is aimed at Pakistan’s destabilisation and the nation and armed forces are successfully countering their malicious designs.

Sharif had on Tuesday said that Pakistan would not be bullied by Indian “tactics” 

and its restraint should not be “misunderstood” as weakness, warning that his country was fully capable of defending against “any belligerence”.