DAMMAM: Pakistan Air Force JF-17 Thunder Fighter jet was the onlyindigenous built fighter jet by any Muslim country which participated inthe largest military drills held by Muslim nations in Saudi Arabia today.
Pakistan Navy ships, and commandos from Special Services Group were alsoparticipating in the exercise, touted as the largest military drill in theregion in terms of diversity of troops, weapon systems, and operationalmanoeuvring.
The spokesman for Joint Gulf Shield-1, Brig Gen Abdullah Al-Subaie, told anews conference that the exercise featured two types of militaryoperations; conventional military operations that involved coastal defenceattacks against the enemy, besides the irregular war operations carried outby besieging and penetrating villages and industrial installations tocleanse them of hostile elements.
The spokesman said the most important aspect of the exercise was toactivate the concept of joint military combat operational plans to counterhostile acts that threaten the security and stability of the region.
The exercise also displayed military uniformity among the participatingcountries, in addition to the development of a sense of collectivesecurity, unity and common destiny, the spokesman said.
The closing ceremony would comprise a parade by the participating troops.King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud would receive the leaders, defence andforeign ministers and heads of different armed forces.
Earlier Pakistan Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi met with the SaudiArabia’s King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud during the closing ceremony ofGulf Shield-1 in the Saudi city.
Matters pertaining to regional security and mutual interest were discussedin the meeting.
Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa and Defence Minister KhurramDastgir Khan were also accompanying the high-level Pakistani delegation toattend the month-long joint military exercise of 24 countries, aimed atstrengthening “military and security cooperation and coordination” amongthe regional countries.
The prime minister on the occasion said that Saudi Arabia is of immenseimportance for the people and government of Pakistan.
The Saudi king also lauded the people of Pakistan.
The prime minister arrived here on a two-day visit on the specialinvitation of the Saudi King on Sunday.
He was received at the King Abdulaziz Air Force Base at Al Khobar byGovernor Dammam Prince Saud bin Nayef. Ambassador Khan Hasham bin Saddiqueand Saudi Ambassador to Pakistan Nawaf al-Maliki were also present.