Shillong: Armies of India and Bangladesh began their joint military exercise “SAMPRITI-IX” at Umroi in Meghalaya. This is the ninth edition of joint exercise.
They will mainly focus on Counter Terrorism Operations in mountainous and jungle terrain.
“To achieve interoperability in joint operations, a Command Post Exercise (CPX) and a Field Training Exercise (FTX) will be conducted simultaneously,” Tezpur-based Defence PRO Lt Col Harsh Wardhan Pande said.
A delegation comprising of 31 officers and 138 other ranks of Bangladesh Army and a Company Group of Indian Army are participating in this exercise.
Both armies would familiarise each other in various tactical drills and procedures, he added.
Soldiers from both the armies will then graduate to joint tactical operations like Cordon and Search, Raid and House Clearance Drills, Lt Col Pande said.
The exercise began with gala opening ceremony which included an impressive parade by both the army contingents and mesmerising band display.
The Bangladesh Army contingent is led by Brigadier General Md Shafiul Azam.
The parade was jointly reviewed by Brig Rajesh Sharma, Head of Indian Army Delegation and Brig Gen Md Shafiul Azam, Head of Bangladesh Army Delegation.
The joint exercise will culminate on February 16 after a validation exercise.
SAMPRITI series of bilateral exercise is one of the major bilateral defence cooperation initiatives between India and Bangladesh Army.
