KHARIAN: Chief of Army Staff (COAS) and Commander of the Defense Force (CDF), Field Marshal Asim Munir, graced the closing event of the 9th International Pakistan Army Team Spirit (PATS) competition, held in Kharian.
In a statement released by ISPR, he reaffirmed the core principles that define the Pakistan Army—“character, courage, and competence”—attributes that soldiers have consistently demonstrated, especially amid the ongoing battle against terrorism.
Addressing the participants at the conclusion of PATS 2026, which wrapped up on 9 February in the semi-mountainous terrains of Punjab, the COAS highlighted the significance of the event. PATS is a rigorous 60-hour patrol exercise designed to sharpen military skills through sharing innovative tactics, operational experiences, and best practices among multinational teams.
Since its inception, PATS has grown into a highly respected platform promoting military excellence and international cooperation. This year, the competition saw participation from 19 nations, including Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belarus, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, Maldives, Morocco, Nepal, Qatar, Sri Lanka, Turkiye, the United States, and Uzbekistan. Observers from Indonesia, Myanmar, and Thailand also attended, alongside 16 teams from Pakistan Army and Navy, with Pakistan Air Force representatives observing.
During his address, the Army Chief commended all teams for their professionalism, resilience, operational skill, and high morale. He underlined the importance of such multinational exercises in boosting collective readiness and adapting to the changing landscape of modern warfare. Awards were presented to top performers, while international observers and defense attachés expressed admiration for the high standards of organization and discipline maintained throughout the event.
In addition to the competition, COAS Munir visited the National Counter Terrorism Centre in Pabbi, where he inspected the newly established Tactical Simulator. He praised the efforts of the troops and technical staff, emphasizing the crucial role of simulator-based training in supplementing conventional methods to enhance operational preparedness.
