9th International Pakistan Army Team Spirit Competition Concludes At Kharian
The 9th International Pakistan Army Team Spirit (PATS) Competition concluded at Kharian on February 9, 2026, marking the successful completion of a major multinational military engagement hosted by Pakistan. The closing ceremony was graced by Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, NI (M), HJ, Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces, who attended the event as the chief guest, according to an ISPR statement.
Conducted from February 5 onwards, the Team Spirit Competition is a 60-hour-long patrolling exercise designed to enhance professional military skills through the exchange of innovative ideas, tactical experiences and best practices among participating teams. The exercise was held in the semi-mountainous terrain of Punjab, Pakistan, providing a realistic and demanding operational environment that tested physical endurance, mental resilience and operational competence.
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Over the years, PATS has evolved into a prestigious and highly competitive military exercise, recognised for promoting professional excellence and mutual learning among participating nations. The forum continues to play a significant role in strengthening military-to-military cooperation and understanding, while fostering camaraderie and team spirit in challenging operational settings.
This year’s competition saw wide-ranging international participation from 19 countries, including Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belarus, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, Maldives, Morocco, Nepal, Qatar, Sri Lanka, Turkiye, the United States of America and Uzbekistan. Indonesia, Myanmar and Thailand attended the exercise as observers. In addition, 16 domestic teams from the Pakistan Army and Pakistan Navy took part in the competition, along with observers from the Pakistan Air Force.
Addressing the closing ceremony, Field Marshal Asim Munir commended all participating teams for displaying exceptional professionalism, high morale, physical and mental endurance, and operational competence throughout the exercise. He highlighted the importance of such multinational engagements in enhancing collective preparedness and enabling armed forces to adapt to the evolving character of modern warfare.
Reaffirming the core values of the Pakistan Army, the Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces underscored the enduring soldierly attributes of character, courage and competence, noting that these qualities have been consistently demonstrated by Pakistani soldiers, particularly in the ongoing fight against terrorism.
Towards the culmination of the event, Field Marshal Asim Munir presented awards to the outstanding participants of the competition. International observers and defence attachés from participating countries also attended the ceremony and expressed appreciation for the high standards of professionalism, organisation and conduct maintained throughout the exercise.
On the sidelines of the event, the Chief of Army Staff also witnessed various training activities at the National Counter Terrorism Centre, Pabbi, including a visit to the newly established Tactical Simulator. He lauded the efforts of the troops and the technical team, and emphasised the importance of simulator-based training as a vital complement to traditional training methods in preparing forces for modern operational challenges.
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