RAWALPINDI: Russian Ambassador to Pakistan, Alexey Yurevish Dedov Thursday called on Chief of Army Staff (COAS), General Qamar Javed Bajwa.

Matters related to regional security and bilateral cooperation were discussed in the meeting, a Inter Services Public Relations press release said.

Later, the visiting dignitary conferred Order of Friendship, Medal for Courage in Salvation and Medal for the Common Wealth in Rescue to ten officers and two soldiers of Pakistan Army in recognition of their cooperation, commitment and audacity during search and rescue operation at Latok-1 to rescue Russian Mountaineer Alexander Gukov from 20650 feet AMSL in July 2018.

The Rescue mission, spanned over six days, was carried out by Army Aviation under most hostile and challenging conditions.

Russian ambassador also presented Medal for the Common Wealth in Rescue and Letter of Commendation of Russian Mountaineering Federation to COAS.