According to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the exercises were aimed at validating the latest operational plans involving infantry and mechanised troops and their support elements from the entire central command.

Apart from the first-ever use of fully digitised virtual command and control room, the exercise saw the first formal employment of indigenous mine dispensing system. The Special Services Group (SSG) troops participated with most impressive high altitude drop by their free-fall paratroopers.

Speaking to officers and men on the occasion, Gen Raheel said army field exercise had fully achieved its objectives of validating the army’s updated operational plans integrated with latest communication concepts and cyber technology to radically reduce its reaction time for quick response.

“Successful culmination of the exercise has boosted our confidence in our combat readiness. Induction of numerous indigenously prepared systems manifests our growing technical prowess and self-reliance,” the army chief said.

“Our adversary must know while we have been fully occupied in a determined fight against terrorism across the country specially the western border, we have kept ourselves prepared to take on any misadventure or strategic miscalculation by our adversary,” he added.

Raheel said the resilience, resolve and heroic deeds of army troops against odds had earned international acclaim for our audacity as a nation. He emphasised perpetual state of readiness and commended the morale and combat efficiency of troops.