KHAIRPUR TAMEWALI, Nov 16 (APP): Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz
Sharif Wednesday witnessed ‘Raad ul Barq’ – Thunder of Lightening
– military exercise in Khairpur Tamewali firing range of Cholistan
desert.
The comprehensive joint exercise conducted by Pakistan Army and
Pakistan Air Force showcased the combat-readiness of the country’s defence line with live firepower demonstration using heavy artillery, fighter jets and air defence weapons.
The Prime Minister along with Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee
General Rashad Mahmoud and three services chiefs witnessed the movement of artillery corp’s Khalid tanks successfully engaging targets in the firing range, some 70 kilometers from Bahawalpur.
The PAF’s fighter aircraft including JF-17 Thunder, F-7PG and Mirage
hit the targets with agility and precision avoiding the radars.
The manoeuvering Mirage aircraft flew close to ground striking weapons
at the designated targets.
The Firing Falcon – formation of four F-16 aircraft, each capable of
carrying 24,000 pounds high explosive bombs enough to target 2 x 2 kilometres of land, successfully hit enemy’s targets.
The Cobra Gunship and Z10 helicopters fired missiles having six
kilometres range and successfully engaged the targets.
The helicopters of Army Aviation Combat Group that participated in the
Operation Zarb-e-Azb also demonstrated their combat potential.
The exercise also demonstrated indigenously developed surface-to-air
missiles, multi-barrel rocket launchers, sky radars for target detection and rocket-propelled target system.
The demonstration concluded with a flypast by F-16 aircraft receiving
thunderous applause by the audience.
Army Chief Army chief General Raheel Sharif presented a souviner to
Prime Minister Minister, Muhammed Nawaz Sharif.
Defence Minister Khwaja Asif, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, Air
Chief Air Marshal Sohail Aman and Naval chief Admiral Zakaullah, Speaker National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, National Security Adviser Lt.Gen. Nasser Janjua and ambassadors attended the event.
Deputy chief of staff of Saudi armed forces especially arrived in on
behalf of the Saudi Crown Prince to witness the military exercise.
