The Pakistan Army on February 9 concluded the 9th International Pakistan Army Team Spirit (PATS) Competition at Kharian, according to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).
The closing ceremony was attended by Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces (COAS & CDF) Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir as the chief guest.
Held from February 5, the 60-hour-long multinational patrolling exercise was conducted in the semi-mountainous terrain of Punjab, offering a realistic and demanding operational environment. The competition aimed to enhance professional military skills by encouraging the exchange of tactical knowledge, innovative ideas, and best practices among participating forces.
ISPR said the PATS Competition has grown into a prestigious and highly competitive military event, promoting professional excellence, mutual learning, and stronger military-to-military cooperation among participating nations.
This year, teams from 19 countries took part in the exercise, including Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belarus, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, Maldives, Morocco, Nepal, Qatar, Sri Lanka, Türkiye, the United States, and Uzbekistan. Indonesia, Myanmar, and Thailand attended as observers.
Sixteen teams from the Pakistan Army and Pakistan Navy also participated, while observers from the Pakistan Air Force were present.
Addressing the ceremony, Field Marshal Munir praised the participants for displaying exceptional professionalism, physical and mental endurance, operational competence, and high morale. He highlighted the importance of multinational military engagements in enhancing collective preparedness and responding effectively to the evolving nature of modern warfare.
Reaffirming the Pakistan Army’s core values, he emphasized the enduring qualities of character, courage, and competence, noting that these attributes continue to be demonstrated by Pakistani soldiers, particularly in the ongoing fight against terrorism.
At the conclusion of the event, the COAS & CDF presented awards to outstanding teams and individuals. International observers and defence attachés commended the high standards of professionalism, organisation, and execution throughout the exercise.
Separately, Field Marshal Munir visited the National Counter Terrorism Centre in Pabbi, where he observed various training activities, including the newly established Tactical Simulator. He praised the troops and technical staff and underscored the importance of simulator-based training in enhancing operational readiness alongside conventional training methods.
