Pakistan, Sri Lanka conclude joint counter-terror exercise at Tarbela

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Sri Lanka have wrapped up a two-week joint military exercise at Tarbela focused on counter-terrorism training, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).

In a statement issued on Thursday, the military’s media wing said the Pakistan-Sri Lanka Joint Exercise Shake Hands-II was held between the armies of the two countries and centred on counter-terrorism operations.

The ISPR said, "The two-week exercise began on April 27 and concluded today. Combat teams from the Special Services Group (SSG) of the Pakistan Army and the Sri Lankan Special Forces participated in the exercise, adding that the closing ceremony was attended by the SSG general officer commanding as chief guest. According to the statement, Major General Ajith Abeyawardana from Sri Lanka also witnessed the concluding ceremony. The military’s media wing said the participating troops maintained a high level of professionalism during the exercise. It stated, The troops displayed the highest standards of professional excellence throughout the exercise."

The ISPR said the purpose of the exercise was to improve drills, procedures and techniques used in counter-terrorism operations through joint training. The exercise also served to further strengthen the longstanding military-to-military ties between Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

Series of joint military drills

Pakistan’s armed forces regularly take part in joint exercises with foreign militaries to share professional experience and improve operational preparedness.

Last week, the Pakistan-Turkiye Joint Commando and Special Forces Exercise Jinnah-XIII was completed in Turkiye, with a focus on counter-terrorism operations.

In April, Pakistan and Egypt began their joint exercise Thunder-II at the Special Operations School in Cherat.

Earlier in January, the armies of Pakistan and the United States held a joint military exercise titled Inspired Gambit-2026, aimed at strengthening counter-terrorism cooperation between the two sides.

The conclusion of Shake Hands-II marks another engagement in Pakistan’s ongoing programme of bilateral military exercises with partner countries, particularly in the field of special operations and counter-terrorism training.