Pakistan army chief observes military’s integrated fire, battle maneuvers in Rahim Yar Khan

Pakistan’s Army Chief General Asim Munir witnessed integrated fire and battle maneuvers of various elements of the Pakistani military during an exercise in Rahim Yar Khan on March 9, 2024. (Military's media wing)
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Updated 09 March 2024
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Pakistan army chief observes military’s integrated fire, battle maneuvers in Rahim Yar Khan

  • The aim of the exercise was to enhance skills, battlefield procedures to meet future challenges, the Pakistani military says
  • Army Chief Gen Asim Munir lauded participating troops for their training standards, operational preparedness and high morale

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Army Chief General Asim Munir witnessed integrated fire and battle maneuvers of various elements of the Pakistani military during an exercise in Rahim Yar Khan in the eastern Punjab province, the military said on Saturday.

The aim of the exercise was to enhance professional skills and battlefield procedures required to meet future challenges in an operational environment, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the military’s media wing, said in a statement.

The army chief witnessed integrated fire and battle maneuvers involving armor, infantry, mechanized infantry, artillery and air defense divisions as well as anti-tank guided missiles. Pakistan Air Force (PAF) aircraft also participated in the exercise.

“Pakistan Armed Forces, with support of the nation, are fully prepared to defend the territorial integrity and sovereignty of our motherland against full spectrum of threat,” Gen Munir was quoted as telling soldiers at the Rahim Yar Khan training field.

The exercise also incorporated “electronic warfare” capabilities and information operations required to subdue the enemy communication capabilities and disinformation in times of war, according to the ISPR.

The army chief spent the day with troops and lauded their training standards, operational preparedness and high morale. He said the armed forces must always remain prepared against any misadventure by the enemy.

The Pakistani military routinely holds training exercises to prepare itself against conventional and unconventional threats in the changing regional and global security environment.


Death toll in Pakistan wedding suicide blast rises to six

Updated 24 January 2026
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Death toll in Pakistan wedding suicide blast rises to six

  • Attack targeted members of local peace committee in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Dera Ismail Khan
  • Peace committees are community-based groups that report militant activity to security forces

PESHAWAR: The death toll from a suicide bombing at a wedding ceremony in northwestern Pakistan rose to six, police said on Saturday, after funeral prayers were held for those killed in the attack a day earlier.

The bomber detonated explosives during a wedding gathering in the Dera Ismail Khan district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, injuring more than a dozen, some of them critically.

“The death toll has surged to six,” said Nawab Khan, Superintendent of Police for Saddar Dera Ismail Khan. “Police have completed the formalities and registered the case against unidentified attackers.”

“It was a suicide attack and the Counter Terrorism Department will further investigate the case,” he continued, adding that security had been stepped up across the district to prevent further incidents.

No militant group has claimed responsibility for the blast so far.

Khan cautioned against speculation, citing ongoing militancy in the area, and said the investigation was being treated with “utmost seriousness.”

The explosion targeted the home of a member of a local peace committee, which is part of community-based groups that cooperate with security forces and whose members have frequently been targeted by militants in the past.

Some media reports also cited a death toll of seven, quoting police authorities.

Emergency officials said several of the wounded were taken to hospital soon after the blast.

Militant attacks have intensified in parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa since the Taliban returned to power in neighboring Afghanistan in 2021, with Islamabad accusing Afghan authorities of “facilitating” cross-border assaults, a charge Kabul denies.