The 13th edition of the India-Kyrgyzstan joint special forces exercise, codenamed KHANJAR, officially commenced on Wednesday at the Missamari military station in Assam's Sonitpur district. This annual bilateral training event, which will continue until February 17, represents a significant milestone in the strategic partnership between the two nations, with a primary focus on enhancing capabilities in counter-terrorism operations across challenging urban and mountainous terrains.
Strengthening Bilateral Defence Cooperation
Exercise KHANJAR serves as a crucial platform for the exchange of specialized military tactics and operational experiences between the elite forces of India and Kyrgyzstan. Conducted alternately in both countries, this year's edition follows the previous iteration held in Kyrgyzstan during March of last year. The exercise underscores the growing defence ties and mutual commitment to addressing shared security challenges in the region.
Elite Contingents and Training Objectives
The Indian Army contingent, comprising 20 highly trained personnel, is represented by troops from the prestigious Parachute Regiment (Special Forces). Similarly, the Kyrgyzstan contingent, matching in strength with 20 personnel, is drawn from the elite ILBRIS Special Forces Brigade. This balanced participation ensures comprehensive knowledge sharing and skill development between the two special forces units.
According to defence PRO Lieutenant Colonel M Rawat, the exercise aims to facilitate the exchange of best practices and operational experiences specifically tailored for counter-terrorism scenarios in complex environments. The training curriculum has been meticulously designed to develop advanced special forces capabilities, including precision sniping techniques, sophisticated building intervention strategies for urban warfare, and specialized mountain craft skills essential for high-altitude operations.
Strategic Significance and Regional Security
Exercise KHANJAR provides a valuable opportunity for both nations to strengthen their defence partnership while collaboratively addressing pressing concerns related to international terrorism and extremism. Lieutenant Colonel Rawat emphasized that this joint military endeavor reaffirms the shared commitment of India and Kyrgyzstan toward promoting peace, stability, and security throughout the region.
The comprehensive training program incorporates realistic scenarios that simulate actual counter-terrorism operations, allowing both contingents to refine their tactical coordination, interoperability, and rapid response capabilities. This year's exercise in Assam's strategic location adds geographical diversity to the training, preparing forces for operations in varied topographical conditions.
As the joint forces engage in intensive drills over the coming days, Exercise KHANJAR 2024 stands as a testament to the growing military cooperation between India and Kyrgyzstan, contributing to enhanced regional security architecture and demonstrating both nations' proactive approach to combating transnational security threats through collaborative training and strategic partnership.
