Chief of Army Staff Ashfaq Parvez Kayani said on Thursday that blatant act of aggression in Mohmand Agency by Nato was unacceptable. "We all salute the courage displayed by brave officers and men of 7 AK Regiment," he said. In his message to all the military forces, he said: "I have clearly directed that any act of aggression will be responded with full force, regardless of the cost and consequences."
General Kayani made these remarks while speaking to officers at least on three occasions - addressing Garrison officers at Sargodha, artillery COs in Attock, and EME COs conferences at Rawalpindi. He said: " I am proud of 7AK which responded with everything they had, including artillery in the form of air burst. The response could have been more effective if PAF had also joined. However, it was no fault of PAF. Timely decision could not be taken due to breakdown of communication with the affected posts and therefore lack of clarity of situation at various levels including corps HQ and GHQ".
He further said: "I want to re-emphasise and leave no ambiguity in the rules of engagement for everyone, down the chain of command, especially in unit/sub unit commanders, when under attack you have full liberty of action to respond employing all capabilities available at your disposal. This will require no clearance at any level. Army will continue to provide resources as required on ground."
The COAS maintained: "All of us have resolve and faith to go down fighting if required rather than being coerced into fait accompli. Be assured that we will not let the aggressor walk away easily. No loss, I repeat, no loss will be considered greater than upholding the National Institution's honour and unjust spilling of sacred blood of the soldiers of the Pakistan Army. I have full trust in your capabilities and resolve".