Pakistan concludes 9th international Army Team Spirit competition

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's 9th International Pakistan Army Team Spirit (PATS) Competition concluded successfully on Monday in Kharian, with Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defense Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir presiding over the closing ceremony as chief guest, the military’s media wing said.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said the grueling 60-hour patrolling exercise, conducted in Punjab's semi-mountainous terrain from February 5-9, brought together military teams from 19 countries to enhance professional military skills through tactical knowledge exchange and best practices.

This year's competition saw participation from Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belarus, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, Maldives, Morocco, Nepal, Qatar, Sri Lanka, Turkey, the United States, and Uzbekistan. Indonesia, Myanmar, and Thailand attended as observers, while 16 domestic teams from the Pakistan Army and Navy, along with Pakistan Air Force observers, also took part.

In his address at the closing ceremony, Field Marshal Munir commended participants for their exceptional professionalism, endurance, and operational competence. He stressed the importance of multinational military engagements in enhancing collective preparedness and adapting to modern warfare's evolving nature.

The Army Chief reaffirmed Pakistan Army's core values, highlighting "character, courage, and competence" as enduring attributes consistently demonstrated by Pakistani soldiers, particularly in ongoing counterterrorism operations.

PATS has grown into a prestigious military exercise recognized for promoting professional excellence and mutual learning among participating nations while strengthening military-to-military cooperation and camaraderie in demanding operational settings.

Field Marshal Munir presented awards to outstanding participants, with international observers and defense attachés from participating countries expressing appreciation for the exercise's high standards of professionalism and organization.

The Army Chief also witnessed training activities at the National Counter Terrorism Centre Pabbi, including a newly established Tactical Simulator, emphasizing the importance of simulator-based training to complement traditional methods.