Field Marshal Munir says small-arms mastery must remain core part of military training

ISLAMABAD: Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir on Wednesday emphasised that mastery of small arms must remain a core component of basic military training, saying shooting proficiency was a hallmark of a professional soldier.

Addressing participants at the closing ceremony of the 46th Pakistan Army Rifle Association (PARA) Central Meet in Jhelum, the Chief of Army Staff praised the shooters for their marksmanship and precision, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).

The ceremony was held at the Army Marksmanship Unit (AMU), with Field Marshal Munir attending as the chief guest and Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf as the guest of honour.

The competition ran from October 7 to November 11, with more than 1,500 participants from the army, navy, air force, civil armed forces and civilian shooting teams taking part.

Participants included personnel from the Rangers in Sindh and Punjab, Gilgit-Baltistan Scouts, and teams from Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan and the Federal Rifle Association.

Army wins combat shooting championship

The Pakistan Army won the trophy in the 4th Inter-Services Combat Shooting Championship, while its Army Marksmanship Unit secured the Prime Minister’s Skills at Arms Big Bore National Challenge Match.

The Master at Arms Trophy, also known as the Doli Cup, the military’s highest shooting honour, was awarded to Havildar Fazal Rehman of the Punjab Regiment.

The regiment also won the Unit Firing Proficiency Match and Infantry Squad Match.

Admiral Ashraf and Field Marshal Munir jointly presented trophies and medals to winners and runners-up in various categories.

The army chief was received on arrival by the Inspector General Training and Evaluation and the commander of Rawalpindi Corps, the ISPR said.