KHAIRPUR TAMEWALI: Any attempt to harm the country`s security and territorial integrity would be met with a `befitting response`, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said on Wednesday.

`There is no doubt that the country`s armed forces are battle-hardened and ready to confront external as well as internal security challenges, the prime minister said after witnessing Raad ul Barq, a military exercise jointly conducted by the Pakistan Army and the Air Force.

Mr Sharif said that although Pakistan`s enemies made no secret of their hostile intentions, the `determination of our armed forces is a shield that counters any nefarious designs by our adversaries`.

He said Raad ul Barq denoted the commitment ofthe country`s armed forces to defence of the motherland and expressed confidence that their augmented capabilities had made them `one of the finest fighting forces in theworld`.

`The strength of our defence lies in the integration of all components of our defence structure so that they act as one body and become a bulwark against the enemy, he said.

The prime minister said no country could remain oblivious of its security, adding that `our strategic vision gives priority to the defence of our motherland`.

He said the government was following a policy of noninterference in other countries` affairs and expected reciprocity to ensure lasting peace in the region.He said Pakistan had been a major target of terrorism supported and financed mainly by external actors.

`No country can tolerate such attacks on its sovereignty. Our nation and armed forces are countering the malicious designs of our foes,` he said.

`Wewillnotbeintimidated by the perpetrators of terrorism. They will find us even more determined to eradicate this evil and we are steadfast against all anti-state activities.

Army chief Chief of the Army Staff Gen Raheel Sharif said no one can cast an evil eye on the country as its defence had been made impregnable.

`The armed forces know how to tackle a threat whetherit is conventional or non-conventional,` the army chief said.

Gen Sharif said the armed forces were a combination of three `Cs` character, courage and competence. `Comradeship is the hallmark of Pakistan Army. It is the only force that remembers its heroes.

He said the time was not far off when the people of Pakistan would be free from the scourge of terror.

Pakistan Army had always been on the forefront in any hour of trial, whether it was a natural calamity or a manmade disaster, he said. `We have a standard operating procedure and do not need any formal order for mobilisation.

The exercise showcased the combat-readiness of the armedforces with a demonstration of live firepower through heavy artillery, fighter jets and air defence weapons. Khalid tanks successfully engaged their targets in the firing range and the PAF`s JF-17 Thunder, F-7PG and Mirage fighter aircraft hit targets with precision avoiding the radars.

The Mirage aircraft gave a thrilling display of flying extremely close to the ground.

Defence Minister Khwaja Asif, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, National Security Adviser retired Lt Gen Nasser Janjua and a number of ambassadors staioned in Islamabad attended the event.

The deputy chief of staff of the Saudi armed forces was a special guest on the occasion.-APP