Pune is the new hub of counter-terror, counter-insurgency joint exercises

The officer added, “More such joint exercises can be held here in future. In Pune, we have the resources, we have technology and we have space.”

While the second edition of the exercise was held at Belgaum in 2008, it has been conducted twice in China in 2007 and 2013. This was the fourth chapter of the exercise named “Hand-in-Hand.”

Speaking to reporters, Lt General K Surendranath, chief of staff of Southern Command who reviewed the concluding parade of the exercise said, “We have learnt from them and they have learnt from us the techniques of counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency operations. This had led to an amalgamation of techniques from both sides which can be called an alternate solution, which is possibly a better solution.”

Lt Gen Surendranath added, “This was definitely a great beginning and I hope this leads us to better co-operation and regular joint exercises. This activity is now restricted to counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency tactics and can be taken to further army to army contact.”

The concluding day of the joint tactical exercise at CME saw a cordon and search exercise by troops in a dummy village where “terrorists were hiding.” Lt General Ashok Singh, Commander, Southern Command of the Indian Army and Lt General Zhou Xiaozhou, Chief of Staff, Chengdu Military Command, People’s Liberation Army of China inspected the exercise along with other senior officers.