Rawalpindi, 10 February 2026(Kamran Raja): The 9th International Pakistan Army Team Spirit (PATS) Competition successfully concluded at Kharian on 9 February 2026. The closing ceremony was graced by Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, NI (M), HJ, COAS & CDF, as the Chief Guest. Pakistan Army Team Spirit is a prestigious 60-hour-long patrolling exercise designed to enhance professional military skills through the exchange of innovative ideas, tactical experiences, and best practices among participating teams. Conducted from 5 February 2026, the exercise was held in the semi-mountainous terrain of Punjab, Pakistan, offering a realistic and challenging operational environment. Over the years, PATS has evolved into a highly competitive and internationally recognized military exercise, promoting professional excellence, mutual learning, and camaraderie among participating nations. The forum continues to play a vital role in strengthening military-to-military cooperation and fostering interoperability in a demanding operational setting.
This year’s competition witnessed wide-ranging participation from 19 countries, including Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belarus, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, Maldives, Morocco, Nepal, Qatar, Sri Lanka, Türkiye, United States of America, and Uzbekistan. Indonesia, Myanmar, and Thailand attended the exercise as observers. Additionally, 16 domestic teams from the Pakistan Army and Pakistan Navy participated, along with observers from the Pakistan Air Force. Addressing the closing ceremony, the COAS & CDF commended all participating teams for their exceptional professionalism, physical and mental endurance, operational competence, and high morale displayed throughout the exercise. He emphasized the significance of multinational engagements such as PATS in enhancing collective preparedness and adapting to the evolving character of modern warfare.
Reaffirming the core values of the Pakistan Army, the COAS & CDF underscored the enduring soldiery attributes of character, courage, and competence, which have been consistently demonstrated by Pakistani soldiers, particularly in the ongoing fight against terrorism. At the culmination of the event, the COAS & CDF presented awards to the outstanding participants of the competition. International observers and Defence Attachés from participating countries also attended the ceremony and expressed appreciation for the high standards of professionalism, organization, and conduct maintained throughout the exercise.
Earlier, the COAS & CDF also witnessed various training activities at the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), Pabbi, including a visit to the newly established Tactical Simulator. He lauded the efforts of troops and the technical team, emphasizing the importance of simulator-based training to complement traditional training methodologies.