Military

U.S forces wrap up Pakistan operation

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Islamabad, March 30, IRNA
Pakistan-U.S Troops
The American troops, engaged in Pakistan's earthquake-hit zone, formally wrap up their operation on Thursday.

A ceremony in this connection was held at the military Qasim Aviation Base in Rawalpindi to bid farewell to the U.S troops.

Pakistan is a strategic partnership of the United States and our relationships as allies are longstanding, the U.S Ambassador to Pakistan Rayan C. Crooker told the farewell ceremony.

The presence of American troops in Pakistan-administered Kashmir had been controversial as religious and several political parties were not in favor to deploy them in Kashmir.

Religious leaders also said that the U.S troops had come to Pakistan for spying in the sensitive Kashmir region.

Speaking on the occasion Commander of Pakistan Army Aviation base Major General Javed Aslam commended the U.S cooperation and it will provide a new foundation of friendship between the two people.

The U.S Force Commander Rear Admiral Michael LeFever said the U.S troops are leaving Pakistan with long-lasting memories of friendship which will never be forgotten.

Over two thousand U.S troops had been in the quake hit area since October 8.

The U.S Envoy said that Washington will set up reconstruction zones in earthquake affected areas besides the uplift of
underdeveloped areas of Pakistan.

2020/235/1420