Pakistan successfully test-fires Hatf-IV ballistic missile

Pakistan conducted a successful test launch of Intermediate Range Hatf-IV (Shaheen 1A) ballistic missile, aimed at re-validating various design and technical parameters of the weapon system, a statement from Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said.

The missile is capable of carrying nuclear and conventional warheads to a range of 900 kilometres, and is among the most accurate missile systems due to its highly accurate and indigenously developed guidance system.

The launch was warmly appreciated by the President Mamnoon Hussain and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif who congratulated the participating troops, the scientists and engineers on their outstanding achievement.

Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Muhammad Zakaullah, also congratulated the scientists and engineers for their dedication, professionalism and commitment towards achieving Pakistan’s Full Spectrum Credible Minimum Deterrence Capability.

He reiterated Pakistan’s desire for peaceful co-existence in the region, and appreciated the professional attributes of all concerned towards accomplishment of the sacred mission.

Zakaullah also showed his full confidence over the Pakistan Armed Forces’ capability to safeguard security of the Mother Land against any aggression.

The launch, with impact point in Arabian Sea, was witnessed by the Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Muhammad Zakaullah, Director General Strategic Plans Division, Lieutenant General Zubair Mahmood Hayat, Commander Army Strategic Forces Command, Lieutenant General Obaid Ullah Khan,Vice Admiral Zafar Mehmood Abbasi, Commander Pakistan Fleet, Chairman NESCOM, Mr Muhammad Irfan Burney, senior officers from the strategic forces, scientists and engineers of strategic organizations.

Injured war veterans are national heroes: General Raheel Sharif

RAWALPINDI: Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif said on Monday that injured soldiers were national heroes, and that there was no greater sacrifice for the motherland than one’s life or limbs.

“There cannot be a bigger sacrifice for the motherland than one’s life or precious limbs.”

The Army Chief was visiting the Armed Forces Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine (AFIRM) in Rawalpindi on Monday, a statement released from the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) read.

The hospital provides treatment to soldiers injured in the war on terror, even providing prosthetic and replacement limbs for soldiers.

The COAS praised sacrifices, valour and determination of the soldiers who were injured in the ongoing war on terror. He assured the veterans that the Army acknowledges their sacrifices and would do everything to bring comfort in their lives.

The COAS was received by Surgeon General Pakistan Army Lieutenant General Azhar Rashid and given a detailed briefing on rehabilitation work undertaken by the Institute.

COAS also inaugurated a Resettlement and Vocational Training Department where wounded soldiers will be imparted vocational training to help them integrate into the society as useful citizens once again.

Army, air force induct first fleet of indigenously developed drones

The armed forces announced on Monday that they had inducted the very first fleet of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) in the Army and the Air Force.

According to a release from the Inter-services Public Relations (ISPR) announced that the first fleet of strategic drones, ‘Burraq’ and ‘Shahpar’, had been inducted into the forces. Both of the drones were produced indigenously.

The military described the induction as a “landmark and historic event,” where a “very effective force multiplier has been added to the inventory of the armed forces.”

“In the future these UAVs could also be gainfully employed in various socio-economic development projects, as well,” it added, hinting at the possibility of using drones in non-combat settings and for civilian use.

The induction ceremony was attended by Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Tahir Rafique Butt, Director General Strategic Plans Division Lieutenant General (Retd) Khalid Ahmed Kidwai, and senior officers from armed forces, scientists and engineers.

General Kayani, while appreciating the work of NESCOM scientists and engineers, highlighted that induction of indigenously developed surveillance capable UAVs in Pakistan Armed Forces is a force multiplier, and will substantially enhance their target acquisition capabilities in real time.