Pakistan, Lanka, Maldives hold anti-terror exercises

Sri Lankan and Maldives troops have joined Pakistan in anti-terror military exercises in the country's northwest, Pakistan military said on Thursday. The two-week long exercise was focused on counter-terrorism operations and sharing of field combat experience of the three armed forces.

The Pakistan military said a large number of friendly countries have requested Pakistan Army to organize training for their troops in the state-of-the-art Counter Terrorism Training Center in view of the successful anti-terrorism campaign codenamed "Zarb-e-Azb."

So far Pakistan Army has conducted joint exercises with Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, China and Jordan to enhance combat efficiency, a military statement said.

Pakistan Army Chief, General Raheel Sharif visited the National Counter Terrorism Training Center (NCTC), in the town of Pabbi and witnessed the Pak-Sri Lanka-Maldives Trilateral Exercise "Eagle Dash-I", the statement said.

General Raheel Sharif underscored that such exercises will consolidate the special relationship between three forces and help eliminate terrorism from the region.

Foreign military delegates from Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Maldives and South Africa witnessed the exercise and lauded professionalism of Pakistan Army. (Xinhua)