Pak Army, PAF have achieved 'significant successes' against Taliban: Kayani

Lahore, Sep.6 (ANI): Pakistan Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Ashfaq Kayani has said the Pakistan Air Force and the Army have achieved 'significant successes' against the Taliban and other extremist groups in their offensive in the North West Frontier Province (NWFP).

Interacting with media persons during Pakistan Air Force (PAF) war exercises, 'Saffron Bandit 2009-10, General Kayani commended the PAF for its support to the ground troops during the military offensive in Swat and Malakand Divisions.

"With the support of the nation, our soldiers have achieved great victories in Swat and Malakand," The Daily Times quoted Kayani, as saying.

Earlier, briefing media persons about the exercise at the Air Force Headquarters, Deputy Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal Muhammad Hasan, said the drills were aimed at training the PAF for operations against the terrorists.

"PAF is employing for the first time in the recent drills pilotless UAV drone planes to target the enemies. It was due to the precision of PAF planning that common people were not among the casualties," Air Vice Marshal Hasan said.

The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Rao Qamar Suleman, along with General Kayani also inspected the drill.

Air Vice Marshal Hasan also informed that a joint military exercise, Exercise High Mark 2010, involving both the Army and the Air Force would be held next year. (ANI)