RAWALPINDI: The multinational military exercise, the 7th Pakistan Army Team Spirit (PATS) Exercise-2024, concluded at Kharian Garrison with a remarkable closing ceremony on Thursday.
According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the Pakistani military’s media wing, the exercise took place from 25th to 27th February 2024 in the semi-mountainous terrain of Punjab province, Pakistan.
Pakistan Army Chief General Syed Asim Munir graced the occasion as the Chief Guest. ISPR stated that seven teams from the Pakistan Army and fifteen teams from friendly countries, including Bahrain, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Maldives, Morocco, Qatar, United States of America, Uzbekistan, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Turkey, participated in the exercise. Azerbaijan, China, Germany, Indonesia, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and Myanmar witnessed the exercise as observers.
The ISPR statement further noted that the 60-hour rigorous “Patrolling Exercise” aimed at enhancing combat skills through the exchange of innovative ideas and experiences among the participants. Over the years, the exercise has gained significant prominence as a highly competitive professional military activity for the participating friendly countries.
Addressing the ceremony, the Pakistan Army Chief commended the participating teams for their professionalism, physical and mental endurance, and high morale displayed during various stages of the exercise.
The COAS emphasized mutual learning during such exercises and highlighted that PATS provides the right platform to combine professional military skills and tactical acumen, fostering much-needed team spirit in the face of the evolving nature of warfare. He underscored the Pakistan Army’s rich soldierly attributes of “character, courage, and competence,” which have been prominently displayed in the fight against terrorism.
At the conclusion, the COAS presented individual and team awards to the exercise participants. International observers and Defense Attachés from participating countries also attended the ceremony and commended its professional conduct.
Earlier on arrival, Commander Mangla Corps received the Army Chief.
