Bakloh (HP), Nov 15 (PTI) A mock drill to repel terroristattack on "United Nations office" marked the culmination ofthe fortnight long joint military exercise between India andKazakhstan here.
Senior military observers from both the countries watchedthe drill on the final day of the exercise here yesterdaywhich was followed by separate cultural shows presented by thetroops of the two countries.
The contingents comprised platoon strength from thirdBattalion of the 11 Gorkha Rifles of the Indian Army and asimilar strength of the Kazakh Army.
They went through a rigorous training schedule over thepast two weeks under the banner "Prabal Dostyk" - RobustFriendship - in Bakloh cantonment, located 4,584 feet abovethe sea level, in Chamba district of HP.
The first edition of the military exercise was held inKazakhstan, a major central Asian state and India's largesttrading partner in the minerals-rich region, in 2016.
Sound of practice firing and blasts echoed the hillsprior to the commencement of the final drill which saw jointtroops on a "UN peacekeeping mission" establishing checkingpoints to frustrate a possible terror attack on the UN office.
As part of the drill, four terrorists travelling in aprivate car started firing after being intercepted by one ofthe parties at a checking point.
While two of them were neutralised on the spot, twoothers managed to flee and sneak into the UN office buildingafter cutting the fence.
Reinforcements were air dropped from a chopper near thebuilding and both the holed up terrorists were subsequentlyneutralised – the operational drill keenly watched by themilitary observers from both the countries and other seniorand lower rank officers.
Leader of Kazakhstan contingent Lt Col G B Kassymbekovwas all praise for India and said the exercise provided them avaluable learning experience in counter-terrorism andcounter-insurgency operations.
"The exercise demonstrated the determination of the twoarmies in working closely with each other to eradicate themenace of terrorism in all its forms," defence spokespersonColonel N N Joshi told PTI.
He said the joint exercise was a resounding success andwould go a long way in enhancing military ties between the twocountries.
The Indian contingent commander, who wished not to beidentified, said the exercise sought to acquaint the forceswith each other's operating procedures in the backdrop ofcounter insurgency and counter terrorism operations under theUNÂ’s mandate.
"The overall aim was to enhance the existing militaryrelationship between the two countries and achieve synergy forjoint conduct of operations as and when the requirementarises,” he said.
He said the training would go a long way in enhancingties between the people of the two countries.
"This exercise provided us suitable platform to mutuallyunderstand tactics and drills of either contingent so as toenable seamless conduct of of joint counter insurgency andcounter-terrorist operations," the contingent leader said.
“I take this opportunity to thank all kazakistaniparticipants and the support staff who have displayedtremendous professional acumen during the conduct of theexercise.
He praised the Kazakistani contingent and said in thelast 14 days of training together, they have developed closebounds and the resultant comrade among the members of both thecontingents which will last life long.
The participating Indian troops had undergone extensivetraining in counter-terrorism and low intensity conflictoperations at the Jungle Warfare School, Vairengte, Mizoram.
The Indian contingent had also trained with the elitecounter-insurgency forces to imbibe the best practices ofcounter-insurgency and counter-terrorist operations withspecific reference to both rural and urban settings.
The drill was followed by cultural programmes presentedseparately by the contingents of the two countries.
A group of Gorkha Rifles personnel presented ascintillating performance of 'Khukri' dance and differentforms of martial arts drawing huge applause from the audience.
PTI TASDIP.
This is unedited, unformatted feed from the Press Trust of India wire.