Pakistan, Turkiye conclude joint commando exercise Jinnah-XIII

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Turkiye have concluded the joint commando and special forces exercise Jinnah-XIII in Turkiye, with the training focused on counterterrorism operations, according to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) on Thursday.

The military’s media wing said combat teams from the Pakistan Army took part in the exercise alongside Turkish troops. The training activities were held in Ankara and Isparta.

According to the ISPR, the exercise met its training goals as well as its military diplomacy objectives. Personnel from both countries displayed a high level of professionalism and operational capability during the drills.

The statement said the main purpose of the exercise was to improve drills, procedures and techniques linked to counterterrorism operations while special emphasis was placed on combat in built-up areas and countering improvised explosive devices (IEDs) through joint training.

The ISPR said the exercise also reinforced the longstanding military-to-military relationship between Pakistan and Turkiye. The drills reflected close cooperation and a shared commitment by the two countries in the field of counterterrorism.

Training held in Ankara and Isparta

The exercise was conducted at locations in Ankara and Isparta, where Pakistani and Turkish forces carried out joint activities as part of the commando and special forces engagement.

In its statement, the ISPR said the participating troops completed the exercise successfully and fulfilled all intended objectives. It described the event as part of continued defence cooperation between the two friendly countries.

The military’s media wing said the exercise centred on refining operational methods relevant to counterterrorism, particularly in urban settings and in dealing with improvised explosive devices.

Pakistan Navy missile firing

Earlier in the day, the Pakistan Navy also carried out a live weapon firing of an indigenously developed ship-launched anti-ship missile, according to the ISPR.

The military’s media wing said the missile accurately struck its target at high speed and extended range. "In a resolute display of preparedness and precision-strike capability, Pakistan Navy successfully conducted a live weapon firing of an indigenously developed ship-launched anti-ship missile, accurately engaging its target at high speed and extended range."

The ISPR said Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf witnessed the missile firing along with leading scientists and engineers.

The two developments were announced by the ISPR on Thursday, highlighting ongoing military training cooperation with Turkiye and Pakistan Navy’s weapons capability demonstration.