New Delhi, 13 November (H.S.): A 170-member Indian Army contingent departed for Sri Lanka on Thursday to participate in the 12th edition of the joint military exercise Mitra Shakti. The exercise will be held from November 13 to 26 at the Army Training School in Maduru Oya, Sri Lanka. The Indian contingent comprises a battalion of the Rajputana Rifles, personnel from other arms and services of the Indian Army, and members of the Indian Air Force.

According to the Ministry of Defence, the exercise aims to enhance the joint operational capabilities of the Indian and Sri Lankan armed forces to conduct counter-terrorism operations in a semi-urban environment under a United Nations mandate. Mitra Shakti is an annual bilateral military exercise conducted alternately in India and Sri Lanka. It provides both armies with an important platform to strengthen interoperability, exchange operational experiences and share best practices in counter-terrorism operations, while also fostering mutual understanding and professional camaraderie.

The exercise will focus on enhancing physical fitness, refining tactical drills and improving coordination among the participating contingents. The training programme will include joint planning, rehearsals of tactical operations and specialised combat skills, including roadblock operations, urban patrolling, convoy protection, area ambushes, crowd dispersal and combined arms operations against fortified positions.

The exercise will culminate in a comprehensive validation exercise, enabling both contingents to jointly implement the tactics, techniques and procedures practised during the training programme.

Exercise Mitra Shakti will further strengthen defence cooperation between India and Sri Lanka. It will also reinforce the longstanding bonds of friendship and mutual trust between the two countries and contribute to peace, stability and security in the region.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar