Gen. Kiyani co-piloted Fighting Falcon — F-16 (BRAVO)

Pakistan Air Force and Pakistan Army on Monday expressed complete solidarity and oneness in successfully meeting the challenges confronted the nation with the spirit of hand and glove.

Gen. Ashfaq Pervaiz Kiyani said that the operation “Rah-e-Raast” was chosen as a last option after exercising various peaceful options. He said Pakistan is our motherland and we all are bound to defend it at all costs. He said that Pakistan Air Force and the Pakistan Army are fully united and are taking part in operation Rah-e-Raast shoulder-to-shoulder.

He paid rich tributes to the men and officers of the security forces, who laid their lives for the cause of the country besides those people who had to leave their homes for the just cause. He said the efforts are in hand to fully facilitate the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and they would also be provided relief for their repatriation in the due course.

Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Rao Qamar Suleman said Pakistan Air Force and Pakistan Army are more united and carrying out joint operations to deal with the curse of terrorism. He said the morale of the country’s forces is very high and they are fully determined to check the nefarious designs of those elements who challenged the writ of the state. He said a small group of people had been forcing the majority to follow their footsteps by terrorising them. “Our ground forces will always see the PAF on the forefront along with them,” he said.

Meanwhile, setting a precedence in the country’s defence history, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani himself co-piloted the PAF’s force multiplier — Fighting Falcon — F-16 aircraft.

Gen Kayani, at the age of 58, clad in G-Suit as a PAF fighter pilot embarked upon a mission from an operational air base of the country on Monday. He kept flying in the combat aircraft which usually ferries at over double speed of sound for around one hour and viewed his brave troops engaged on ground in operation Rah-e-Raast in various parts of Malakand, Swat and Bannu.

On his return from the mission, the COAS looked fresh like a professional pilot with soft smile on his face. The Chief of Air Staff, Rao Qamar Suleman, who warmly sent off the COAS on the mission, greeted him on his return from a successful sortie.

“The level of coordination and cooperation between the PAF and the Army was on ascend and will continue to further as the time passes by. This shows our resolve and commitment to the cause of the motherland,” he said.

Gen Kayani, greeted personally the men and officers of the sister force. He also addressed the airmen and officers and presented salute to their courage and valour besides the commitment to defend the country.