Pakistan army chief says 'terrorists disrupt regional peace'
IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency
Islamabad, March 11,IRNA -- Pakistan Army Chief, General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, said on Friday that ‘terrorists have disrupted peace and stability in the region and threatened our way of life’.
Pakistan is at war with terrorists and the Armed Forces have been battling these elements since 2004, General Kayani said at a ceremony to equip Pakistan Air Force (PAF) with the new F-16 fighter aircraft at a PAF base Shahbaz in Jacobabad in southern Sindh province.
The Squadron, one of the oldest squadrons of the PAF, previously equipped with Mirage aircraft, has now been re-equipped with newly inducted state-of-the-art F-16 C/D Block 52+ aircraft, a PAF statement said.
Pakistan Air Force received 18 state-of-the-art F-16 C/D Block 52+ aircraft in different batches from the US and the delivery was completed in December 2010.
“As you know, Pakistan is at war with terrorists, who have disrupted peace and stability in the region and threatened our way of life,” General Kayani told the army officers.
Pakistan Armed Forces have been conducted through unprecedented close cooperation and support of PAF, adding that the role of PAF has been critical as it has shown the high level of professionalism in all counter terrorist operations.”
Speaking at the occasion, Pakistan air chief Air Marshal Rao Qamar Suleman, the PAF role has been to cover entire spectrum of Air Warfare to counter all internal as well as external challenges.
“Let me take this opportunity to reaffirm and reiterate that PAF will always provide effective support to our land forces in their operations against all internal as well as external enemies of Pakistan”.
He said the PAF has the capability to respond to various threats being faced by nation, with efficiency and safety.
“We have a mission to maintain peace with honour in this volatile region in these uncertain times,” the Pakistani air chief said.
**1420
Islamic Republic News Agency/IRNA NewsCode: 30291910
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