Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif along with leaders of other countries, observed the world’s biggest military exercises “North Thunder” at Hafarul Batin city of Saudi Arabia yesterday.
The leaders of many countries attended the closing ceremony along with Khadim al Harmain al Sharifain King Salman bin Abdul Aziz al Saud. Air drops, armour movement and air assault through helicopters were performed by the troops taking part in the exercises. Live fire by tanks was also demonstrated.
Pakistani troops were part of the show in the closing ceremony, which performed air drops and air assault.
#Pakistani forces arrives at King Khalid Military City to participate in #North_Thunder Exercise#Pakistanpic.twitter.com/ECrF5ZVUqO
— درع الوطن (@diraalwatan) March 10, 2016
I don't know much about other countries but I know what is Pakistan army capable off.
A two-hour mock battle featuring fighter jets, attack helicopters and tanks was among the final events of the exercises which Saudi Arabia described as a show of regional unity.
The twittersphere showed its support for the north-thunder.
Muslim Countries need to play their due role in combating the menace of Terrorism.
— Mehmood Rizvi (@rizvi_mehmood) March 9, 2016
#North_Thunder pic.twitter.com/ykOI8Bc7RI
#North_Thunder drill comes in light of the growing terrorist threats as well as the political and security instability in the region. #ISIS
— شموخ نجد (@desertrose4e) February 28, 2016
#North_Thunder exercises send a msg: stability of countries of region is a red line, says this release pic.twitter.com/kE9muMk8Oa
— Ahmed Quraishi (@AQpk) March 9, 2016
But not everyone was convinced; some even criticized the sponsored trending hashtag of “North_Thunder”:
They know their target audience, they know where to spend money. #North_Thunder is promoted twitter thread in #Pakistan by Saudis.
— Malik Omaid (@Omaidus) March 10, 2016
'#North_Thunder' is a sponsored trend in Pakistan, by the official Twitter account of the Saudi military exercise. Brave new world, this.
— Asad Hashim (@AsadHashim) March 10, 2016
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