Small arms mastery must be part of basic training, says Field Marshal Munir

Field Marshal Asim Munir said proficiency with small arms should be a compulsory part of basic military training, addressing the closing ceremony of the 46th Pakistan Army Rifle Association Central Meet at the Army Marksmanship Unit in Jhelum.

Munir, who holds the posts of Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff, was chief guest at the ceremony, according to Inter-Services Public Relations. Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf attended as guest of honour.

ISPR said the meet ran from 7 October to 11 November and that more than 1,500 shooters took part from the Pakistan Army, Pakistan Navy, Pakistan Air Force and the civil armed forces. Aaj News reported that participants also included Sindh and Punjab Rangers, Gilgit-Baltistan Scouts and teams from Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, the Federal Rifle Association and civilian sides.

Pakistan Army won the championship trophy of the 4th Inter-Services Combat Shooting Championship. Its Army Marksmanship Unit won the Prime Minister Skills at Arms Big Bore National Challenge Match.

The Master at Arms Trophy, known as the Dolly Cup and the highest military honour in shooting, went to Havildar Fazal Rehman of the Punjab Regiment. The Punjab Regiment also won the unit firing proficiency match and the infantry squad match.

Munir and Admiral Ashraf gave trophies and medals to winners and runners-up in the various categories.

In remarks to participants, Munir praised the army shooters' marksmanship and said skill at shooting was the mark of a professional soldier. He pressed for small arms handling to be treated as core training rather than a specialist skill.

ISPR said the Inspector General Training and Evaluation and the Commander Rawalpindi Corps received the field marshal on his arrival at the Army Marksmanship Unit.

The meet is an annual army event that this year also drew teams from the provincial rifle associations and civilians, alongside the three services.