Investiture Ceremony Held at GHQ: COAS General Asim Munir Honours Martyrs and Commends Anti-Terror Efforts

  • Investiture ceremony held at GHQ for martyrs, their families.
  • COAS Gen Asim Munir confers honours on officers, soldiers.
  • Army chief commends security forces for anti-terror efforts.

Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir on Thursday lauded the sacrifices of the nation’s martyrs, acknowledging their ultimate devotion to the country.

“The martyrs and veterans are our lasting pride. Honoring them is a sacred duty for every citizen of Pakistan,” remarked COAS Gen Munir during an investiture ceremony at General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi.

The ceremony was attended by numerous senior military officers and families of the award recipients. The army chief bestowed honors upon officers and soldiers of the Pakistan Army, recognizing their exceptional bravery in operations and their distinguished service to the country.

Decorations presented included the Sitara-e-Imtiaz (Military) and Tamgha-e-Basalat. Families of the martyrs received medals awarded posthumously.

“The peace and freedom we value today are a direct result of the sacrifices made by these courageous individuals,” the COAS stated, paying tribute to the martyrs.

He also conveyed his deep respect for the resilience and strength of the martyrs’ families, recognizing their unique sacrifices for the nation.

Acknowledging the steadfast determination of the Pakistan Army and Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs), the COAS commended their ongoing efforts to counter various terrorist threats and neutralize key terrorist figures during counterterrorism operations.

The army chief’s comments come at a time when the nation is facing a concerning increase in terrorist incidents, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, both of which share a border with Afghanistan.

According to a report by the Centre for Research and Security Studies (CRSS), KP and Balochistan are the primary locations of violence, accounting for 98% of all fatalities. Attacks are becoming more daring, and militant strategies are evolving, including the unprecedented hijacking of the Jaffar Express. Projections suggest over 3,600 fatalities by the end of the year if current trends continue, potentially making 2025 one of Pakistan’s deadliest years.

In the first quarter of 2025, Pakistan experienced 897 violence-related deaths and 542 injuries among civilians, security personnel, and outlaws. These casualties resulted from 354 incidents of violence, including terror attacks and counter-terror operations. Compared to the 1,028 fatalities recorded in the fourth quarter of 2024, this represents a nearly 13% decrease in overall violence.

Speaking at a convention for overseas Pakistanis earlier this week, the COAS addressed the security situation, stating that even numerous generations of terrorists could not harm Balochistan or Pakistan.

Against 495 outlaws eliminated, the civilians and security personnel suffered 402 fatalities, which accounts for nearly 19% fewer losses compared to the outlaws. Their combined losses accounted for nearly 45% of all fatalities compared to outlaws, making up over 55% of the total recorded this quarter.