Shooting proficiency must remain basic military training objectives: COAS Qamar Bajwa
RAWALPINDI (92 News) – Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa attended the closing ceremony of the 41st Pakistan Army Rifle Association (PARA) Central Meet at Jhelum Garrison as chief guest on Thursday.
The mega shooting event was conducted at Army Marksmanship Unit from October 26 to December 1. Over 2500 shooters from Army, Navy, Air Force, Civil Armed Forces (CAFs) including Rangers, Frontier Corps and Airport Security Force as well as civilians participated in the competition that comprised numerous events involving different ranges and types of weapons.
The COAS awarded trophies and medals to the winners and runners-up in each shooting category. In inter formations competition, Multan Corps came first followed by Mangla Corps. In CAFs category, trophy has been won by Punjab Rangers while Gilgit Baltistan Scouts were runners-up. In Inter Services Matches, Pakistan Army won all the four contests including COAS, Chief of Air Staff (CAS) and Chief of Naval Staff (CNS) Matches.
The PAF remained runners-up in COAS and CAS Matches while Pakistan Navy came second in CNS Match.
The Pakistan Army won Shotgun, Long Range and Small Bore Trophies in Open National Matches. Pakistan Army also won the Prime Minister ‘Skills at Arms’ Big Bore National Challenge while Pakistan Navy secured second position.
The biggest Military Shooting Honour 'The Master at Arms' Trophy was awarded to Lance Havildar Arshad Saddique of 12 Punjab Regiment. The President’s Cup National Challenge Match Trophy was awarded to Havaldar Jaffar Hussain of Army Marksmanship Unit. The Prime Minister 'Skills at Arms' big bore National Challenge Match was won by Pakistan Army. The 'Best Shot Match Trophy' was awarded to Lance Dafadar Zulfiqar Khan.
Interacting with participants, the COAS appreciated the firers for their excellent standards of marksmanship. Terming shooting skill as hallmark of a professional soldier, COAS said attaining proficiency at shooting must remain at the heart of basic military training objectives.
