RAWALPINDI: Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Gen Raheel Sharif has praised the standard of marksmanship of shooters of Pakistan Army.

He was talking to participants of 36th Pakistan Army Rifle Association Central Meet, the biggest shooting competition in the country, held at the Army Marks­manship Firing Ranges near Jhelum on Monday after a gap of five years, says a press release.

He praised the trainers for optimum utilisation of the newly created facility which had not only provided an opportunity to the young talent but also trained marksmen and snipers proving decisive in the fight against terrorism.

The army chief said that training was an important part of every soldier’s professional development and “must remain our hallmark to accomplish the assigned mission”.

He called for organising more competitions with increased civilian participation to encourage and prepare the youth for national and international shooting sport competitions.

About 800 people, including 33 civilians of 28 teams and personnel of Pakistan Navy, Pakistan Air force, Frontier Corps, Pakistan Rangers, Coast Guards, Gilgit-Baltistan Scouts and police, participated in 22 events held over the four weeks. Pakistan Army emerged champion in the inter-services firing competition.

The COAS awarded trophies and medals to winners and runners-up.

The biggest military shooting honour ‘The Master at Arms Trophy’, ‘The President’s Cup National Challenge Match Trophy’, ‘The Prime Minister Skills at Arms big bore’ and ‘The Best Shot Match Trophy’ were awarded to Lieutenant Saud, Brigadier Shah Nawaz, Lt Col Junaid Waqas and Sepoy Naveed Ahmed of Pakistan Army, respectively.

Published in Dawn, November 3rd, 2015

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