Pak army 'fully prepared' to meet challenges: Kayani

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's army chief Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani on Thursday said the force was "fully prepared" to meet challenges, a day after his Indian counterpart made it clear that all options were open to deal with Islamabad in the aftermath of the Mumbai attacks.

Without naming India, Gen Kayani "emphasised that the threat could best be defeated through a comprehensive national effort."

Gen Kayani stated this during a meeting of formation commanders at the General Headquarters in the garrison city of Rawalpindi near here.

"Pakistan Army is fully prepared to meet the challenges", he was quoted as saying in a statement issued by the army.

His remarks came a day after Indian army chief Gen Deepak Kapoor said the country had kept open all options,
including the "fighting option", to deal with Pakistan in the wake of the Mumbai attacks.

The meeting chaired by Kayani was attended by Principal Staff Officers, corps commanders and formation commanders - officers who constitute the top brass of the army. The participants were given a comprehensive briefing on the prevailing security environment, the statement said.

Kayani expressed satisfaction at "efforts undertaken by the military commanders for training and operational preparedness". He said the "spirit of sacrifice and high morale of troops is reassuring for the defence of the country".