Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa Tuesday said there was no cause more noble than laying ones life for defence of motherland and sacrifices of our martyrs would not go waste.

The Army chief was addressing a ceremony to confer military awards to Army personnel for their acts of valour and gallantry held at General Headquarters (GHQ), according to an Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) media release.

General Bajwa conferred military awards on Army personnel for their acts of gallantry during operations and meritorious services rendered to the nation.

Paying rich tribute to martyrs and soldiers who returned with honour after war, the COAS said, “We owe peace and stability of our country to the selfless devotion and sacrifices of these officers and soldiers who are our real heroes.”

The COAS lauded brave families of martyrs — some of them who were present on the occassion — for supreme sacrifices they rendered for the country.

Around 47 officers were awarded Sitara-i-Imtiaz (Military). However, six officers, seven Junior Commissioned Officers (JCOs) and 12 soldiers were awarded Tamgha-i-Basalat. Medals of Shuhada were received by their family members.

A large number of senior Army officers and families of awardees attended the ceremony.