The 12th edition of the India-Kyrgyzstan Joint Special Forces Exercise KHANJAR-XII is scheduled to occur in Kyrgyzstan from March 10 to March 23, 2025. Since it began in 2011, the KHANJAR exercise has developed into an important annual training event focused on strengthening military collaboration between the two countries. This exercise underscores the deepening strategic partnership between India and Kyrgyzstan, emphasizing their dedication to regional peace, stability, and security.
Participating Contingents
The Indian Army contingent in KHANJAR-XII includes troops from The Parachute Regiment (Special Forces), recognized for their exceptional capabilities in counter-terrorism and high-altitude warfare. Meanwhile, the Kyrgyzstan contingent is represented by the Kyrgyz Scorpion Brigade, a well-trained unit that focuses on special operations and mountain warfare.
Objectives and Key Focus Areas of KHANJAR-XII
The main goal of Exercise KHANJAR-XII is to promote the sharing of experiences and effective strategies in Counter-Terrorism (CT) operations and Special Forces missions, especially in urban and high-altitude mountainous environments. This training is designed to tackle the changing security threats, particularly those arising from international terrorism and extremism.
Key Focus Areas:
- Counter-Terrorism Operations: The participating troops will undergo specialized training in neutralizing terror threats in both urban and mountainous environments.
- Advanced Special Forces Skills: The exercise will emphasize skills such as sniping, complex building interventions, and mountain warfare.
- High-Altitude Warfare Training: Given the geographical landscape of Kyrgyzstan, special training will be conducted to enhance the endurance and operational capability of the troops in high-altitude conditions.
- Joint Planning and Execution: The forces will conduct coordinated mock operations, simulating real-time special operations to enhance interoperability and coordination.
