ISLAMABAD: Expressing complete satisfaction on the state of readiness and vigil being maintained by troops, Army Chief Genreal Raheel Sharif on Friday reiterated that any provocation along the Line of Control (LoC) will be responded effectively.

A statement issued by the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) said the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) visited troops deployed in forward localities along the LoC near Jhelum today.

He was briefed by local commanders about the prevailing security situation along the de facto border that divides the Kashmir region between Indian and Pakistani administered sectors.

Forces of the two South Asian neighbours have been engaged in exchanges of fire along the LoC as well as along the international border further to the south in recent weeks, resulting in civilian and military deaths on both sides.

While interacting with the troops, the army chief appreciated their state of morale and operational preparedness on front line.

He paid rich tribute to the officers and men of Pakistan Army along the LoC on their supreme sacrifices and determination in the defence of country.

“The entire nation felt proud of the soldiers deployed in defence of the motherland,” he said.

Earlier on his arrival, the COAS was received by Lieutenant General Qamar Javed Bajwa, the Corps Commander Rawalpindi Corps.