CHIRAT: Pakistani and Saudi Forces Successfully Conclude Joint Counter-Terrorism Exercise
In a display of their unwavering commitment to combat terrorism and strengthen their historic military ties, Pakistani and Saudi forces successfully concluded a two-week joint counter-terrorism exercise, titled AL BATTAR-I, on Monday. The exercise took place in the picturesque northwestern Pakistani hill station of Cherat and involved the active participation of special forces contingents from both Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, according to a statement from the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the media wing of the Pakistani military.
The primary objective of the exercise was to further bolster the already robust military-to-military relations between the two brotherly nations. It aimed to cultivate a “joint employment concept” for countering terrorism and to identify areas of mutual interest for future military collaborations.
The ISPR reported that the exercise saw the professional excellence of Combat Aviation and Special Forces from both countries on full display. The event concluded with a spectacular Fly Past, witnessed by Nawaf bin Saeed Al-Malki, the Ambassador of Saudi Arabia to Pakistan, and senior military leadership from both nations.
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have maintained strong and enduring strategic ties over the years, facilitating the exchange of expertise in the realms of defense and diplomacy. Pakistan has a rich history of providing military training and counsel to Saudi Arabia, while the Kingdom reciprocates by procuring armaments and munitions from Pakistani ordnance factories.
In a noteworthy recognition earlier this year, Pakistani President Arif Alvi conferred the prestigious Hilal-e-Imtiaz (Crescent of Excellence) award upon Major General Awad bin Abdullah Al-Zahrani, the Kingdom’s defense attaché in Pakistan, underscoring the deep-rooted cooperation between the two nations.
This successful joint exercise reflects the commitment of Pakistan and Saudi Arabia to bolstering regional security and enhancing their collaborative efforts in countering terrorism, ultimately contributing to regional peace and stability.
