Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa Thursday attended the Closing Ceremony of the 41st Pakistan Army Rifle Association (PARA) Central Meet at Jhelum Garrison as Chief Guest.

According to an Inter Services Public Relations statement, the mega shooting event was conducted at Army Marksmanship Unit from 26 October to 1 December 2021.

Over 2500 firers from Army, Navy, Air Force, Civil Armed Forces (CAFs) including Rangers, Frontier Corps and Airport Security Force as well as civilians participated in the competition that comprised numerous events involving different ranges and types of weapons.

COAS awarded trophies and medals to the winners and runners up in each shooting category.

In Inter Formations Competition, Multan Corps came first followed by Mangla Corps. In the CAFs category, the trophy has been won by Punjab Rangers while Gilgit Baltistan Scouts were runners up.

In Inter Services Matches, Pakistan Army won all four contests including COAS, Chief of Air Staff (CAS) and Chief of Naval Staff (CNS) Matches. PAF remained runners up in COAS and CAS Matches while Pakistan Navy came second in CNS Match.

Pakistan Army won Shotgun, Long Range and Small Bore Trophies in Open National Matches. Pakistan Army also won the Prime Minister ‘Skills at Arms’ Big Bore National Challenge while Pakistan Navy secured the second position.

The biggest Military Shooting Honour 'The Master at Arms' Trophy was awarded to Lance Havildar Arshad Saddique of 12 Punjab Regiment.

The President’s Cup National Challenge Match Trophy was awarded to Havaldar Jaffar Hussain of the Army Marksmanship Unit.

The Prime Minister 'Skills at Arms' big bore National Challenge Match was won by Pakistan Army. The 'Best Shot Match Trophy' was awarded to Lance Dafadar Zulfiqar Khan.

While interacting with participants, COAS appreciated the firers for their excellent standards of marksmanship.

Terming shooting skill as the hallmark of a professional soldier, COAS said attaining proficiency at shooting must remain at the heart of basic military training objectives.