Chief of Army Staff General Syed Asim Munir has described shooting skill as the “hallmark of a professional soldier”, according to a military’s media wing statement.

“Attaining proficiency at shooting must remain at the heart of basic military training objectives,” he said while interacting with the participants at the closing ceremony of the Pakistan Army Rifle Association central meet held at the Army Marksmanship Unit (AMU) in Jhelum on Thursday.

In a statement, Inter-Services Public Relations said that the mega-shooting event was conducted from 14 October to 28 November 2024.

The army chief appreciated the firers for their “excellent” standards of marksmanship.

Earlier on arrival, the Rawalpindi Corps commander received COAS Munir.

Over 2,000 firers from the army, navy, air force, and civil armed forces including Rangers (Sindh & Punjab), teams ex Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, Federal Rifle Association, Lahore Garrison Shooting Gallery (LGSG) and civilians participated in the competition.

COAS Munir and Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu awarded trophies and medals to the award winners and runners-up in each category.

In the inter-services matches, the Pakistan Army won three contests including CJCSC, COAS and CNS matches while the Pakistan Air Force won the CAS contest. Pakistan Army secured the overall Championship Trophy.

The FTR team trophy was won by the Pakistan Army led by Lieutenant General Ahsan Gulrez.

The President’s Cup National Challenge match trophy was awarded to Naik Waseem Ahmed Khan of the Pakistan Army. Pakistan Air Force won the Prime Minister ‘Skills at Arms’ Big Bore National Challenge. Azad Kashmir Regiment won the first prize in para firing matches (infantry squad).

The highest military shooting honour, ‘The Master at Arms’ Trophy was awarded to Sepoy Aftab Ahmed of the Punjab Regiment. The ‘Best Shot Match Trophy’ Group 2 and Group 3 were awarded to Lance Dafadar Muhammad Imran of Cavalry and Havaldar Fateh Ullah Khan of EME Battalion.