India-Kyrgyzstan Joint Special Forces Exercise KHANJAR-XII: Strengthening Military and Cultural Ties
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Why in News? | The 12th edition of the India-Kyrgyzstan Joint Special Forces Exercise KHANJAR-XII is set to take place in Kyrgyzstan from 10 March to 23 March 2025. |
| Historical Background | Initiated in 2011, KHANJAR has evolved into an annual military training exercise held alternately in India and Kyrgyzstan. The previous edition (KHANJAR-XI) was held in India in January 2024. |
| Participating Contingents | India: The Parachute Regiment (Special Forces). Kyrgyzstan: The Kyrgyz Scorpion Brigade. |
| Objectives | - Exchange of experiences and best practices in Counter-Terrorism (CT) operations.- Enhancing coordination in Special Forces missions.- Strengthening defense cooperation and regional security. |
| Key Focus Areas | - Counter-Terrorism Operations: Neutralizing terror threats in urban & mountainous areas.- Advanced Special Forces Skills: Sniping, building interventions, mountain warfare.- High-Altitude Warfare: Special training for extreme terrains.- Joint Planning & Execution: Simulated operations to boost interoperability. |
| Cultural Engagement | - Celebration of Nowruz, fostering military and cultural ties between India and Kyrgyzstan. |