ISLAMABAD: Chief of the Army Staff Gen Raheel Sharif on Wednesday visited the headquarters of X Corps, based in Rawalpindi, to review the operational preparedness of the units and formations directly responsible for protecting the Line of Control.

The army chief was given a comprehensive briefing on the LoC situation. Corps Commander Lieutenant General Malik Zafar Iqbal was also present.

Expressing his complete satisfaction over the operational preparedness of the X Corps, the army chief appreciated the state of morale of the troops along the LoC and the level of vigilance being maintained.

On Oct 3, the army chief visited the headquarters of the Strike Corps in Mangla, where Corps Commander Lt Gen Umar Farooq Durrani briefed him about the operational preparedness of the troops.

Lahore Corps Commander Lt Gen Sadiq Ali, Peshawar Corps Commander Lt Gen Hidayatur Rehman, Gujranwala Corps Commander Lt Gen Ikramul Haq and Director General Military Operations Maj Gen Sahir Shamshad Mirza were also present during the Mangla Corps visit.

The army chief`s visits to the Strike Corps, Mangla, and the X Corps came in the wake of recent tensions between India and Pakistan following the Sept 18 attack on a military camp in Uri, inside India-held Kashmir, where around 20 Indian soldiers were killed.

Analysts believed that the message from Pakistan was clear to the enemy that the armed forces were ready to meet any eventuality.

Meanwhile, the InterServices Public Relations said that India once again violated the ceasefire along the LoC.

It said that the Indian troops started unprovoked firing in Iftikharabad, Kotli and Kel sectors and the Pakistani troops responded in a befitting manner.

`Heavy exchange of gunfire which starte d this evening still continues,` it added.

Nato commander The chairman of the Nato military committee, General Petr Pavel, on Wednesday called on Gen Raheel at the General Headquarters in Rawalpindi, adds APP.

He was on an official visit to Pakistan, according to the ISPR.

During the meeting, regional security issues and matters of mutual interest came under discussion.

Gen Pavel appreciated the resolve of the Pakistan Army and its continuing efforts towards fighting terrorism and bringing peace to the region.