The Chief of Defense Staff (CDF) and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir said on Thursday that the country’s armed forces remained fully prepared to counter both conventional and hybrid threats in an evolving security environment, warning that any act of aggression would be met with a swift and appropriate response during a visit to the front lines in Kashmir.
The remarks and visit came as the country celebrates Kashmir Solidarity Day to express support for the people of India’s illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) and their struggle for the right to self-determination. The day draws the attention of the international community to the Indian atrocities in IIOJK. To mark the occasion, solidarity walks, seminars and exhibitions are being organized in Pakistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK).
In a statement, Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) said CDF Munir visited a forward post in AJK where he interacted with troops deployed on the frontline.
“He reiterated that any act of aggression would be immediately met with a swift and appropriate response. He emphasized that the armed forces remain fully prepared to counter both conventional and hybrid threats in an evolving security environment,” ISPR said.
The Field Marshal also visited Muzaffarabad where he paid tribute to the martyrs of Kashmir’s freedom struggle by laying a wreath at the Jammu and Kashmir Martyrs Monument and paying tribute to them and acknowledging their legacy of bravery and sacrifice.
“Interacting with the notables and veterans, the CDF reiterated Pakistan’s unwavering political, moral and diplomatic support to the people of IIOJK,” the ISPR statement said.
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“He noted that Indian atrocities, unabated human rights violations and Hindutva-driven excesses have failed to suppress the legitimate struggle and aspirations of the Kashmiri people,” it added.
Confirming Pakistan’s position on the dispute, CDF Munir said that Kashmir would “soon witness the dawn of freedom in accordance with the will and destiny of the people of Kashmir”.
He further stressed that Pakistan will continue to raise the Kashmir issue in all relevant international forums “until a just resolution of the dispute is achieved in accordance with the UN Security Council resolutions”.
The ISPR said the CDF praised the “professionalism, morale and combat readiness” of officers and soldiers deployed in AJK despite challenging operational conditions.
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“The CDF emphasized the need to maintain the highest operational readiness, vigilance and seamless synergy across all domains to effectively deter and decisively respond to any enemy provocation,” the statement said.
Earlier, on arrival in Muzaffarabad, Munir was received by Commander Rawalpindi Corps.
A day earlier, during a visit to Quetta in the wake of recent terror attacks in Balochistan, the CDF stated that no one can rationalize violence and terrorism under any pretext.
The statements came after a series of coordinated attacks in several places in Balochistan over the weekend. CDF Munir had received a comprehensive operational briefing on the prevailing security environment and ongoing internal security operations.
“The CDF noted that no terrorist and its facilitator will be spared and all will be dealt with strictly according to law and no one can rationalize violence and terrorism under any pretext,” ISPR said.
It added that the briefing covered terrorist attacks orchestrated by “India-backed internationally designated terrorists of Fitna al Hindustan and the swift aggressive response of security forces which failed in their ulterior motive to compromise the peace, stability and development of Balochistan”.
