Pak's 'Azm-e-Nau-III' military exercise a message to India?

Bahawalpur (Pakistan), Apr 19(ANI): The six-week-long Azm-e-Nau-III military exercise being conducted by the Pakistani armed forces is being seen as a message to India, as the exercise is being held on in areas close to the Indian border.

The message coming out is that Pakistan is vigilant on its eastern border, despite being heavily engaged on the western border carrying out operations in South Waziristan, Khyber and Orakzai.

On Sunday, the Pakistan Army and the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) exhibited their professional capabilities in front of Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani and many other senior leaders of the country in the desert of Khairpur Tamewali near Bahawalpur.

The heavy firepower of the armed forces was also witnessed by more than 30 military attaches of different countries.

The Pakistan Army used homemade Al-Khalid tanks and Anza Mark II missiles, while the Air Force used not only US-made F-16s, but also locally assembled JF-17 Thunder aircraft.

The massive firepower of Al-Khalid tanks and JF-17 Thunder also proved that locally-made weapons are as good as the imported ones.

Speaking on the occasion, Prime Minister Gilani underlined the need for high state of preparedness to guarantee peace and security.

"Our democratic system, economic potential, vibrant population, national unity, consensus and armed forces all provide strategic stability against all possible threats to our great country," The News quoted Gilani, as saying.

He added that Pakistan was standing against forces of extremism and militancy, while bearing a very heavy cost to its economy and prosperity.

"The world today finds Pakistan standing as a bulwark against forces of extremism and militancy. It is in this struggle where nation pledges to support armed forces in spirit, with its youth and its entire resources," Gilani said.

The Prime Minister also emphasised that Pakistan and its armed forces are fully committed in a fierce struggle on its western border and are continuing to retain their capability to deal with all possible threats in the region. (ANI)