Pakistan-Kazakhstan joint military drill begins

ISLAMABAD: A joint military exercise between special forces of Pakistan and Kazakhstan began in Khyber Pakhtunkwa on Wednesday, the Inter-Services Public Relations said.

Dostarym III is being held at National Counter Terrorism Center, the counterterrorism training school of the army located in the town of Pabbi, said the statement.

It added that the exercise aims to "develop and bolster coordination between the two armies" in the domain of counter-terrorism.

Special forces from both countries will take part in hostage rescue, compound clearance, helicopter rappelling, and close-quarters battle drills and procedures.

The exercise, the statement said, will focus on integrated synergy, interoperability, quick decision making and swift action at a tactical level.

Military officials of both countries were present at the occasion.

The first joint exercise was held in 2017 in Pakistan, while the second was in 2019 in Kazakhstan, the statement added.