In a bid to further cement the relationship between armies of both the nations, a contingent of Indian Army will leave for Sri Lanka on Monday to participate in 6th edition of joint military exercise “Mitra Shakti”, involving practicing tactical level operations in an international Counter Insurgency and Counter Terrorist environment under UN mandate.
“As a precursor to Exercise Mitra Shakti-VI, a joint military exercise with Sri Lankan Army, Maj Gen Manjinder Singh, YSM, VSM, GOC Bison Division of Southern Star Command interacted with the Indian Army contingent that is nominated for this exercise, at Secunderabad military station on Saturday,” Rajasthan-based Defence PRO Col Sombhit Ghosh said.
The exercise will start on March 26 and concluding on April 8.
The aim of the exercise is to build and promote close relations between armies of both the countries and to enhance ability of joint exercise commander to take military contingents of both nations under command, Col Ghosh added.
The Indian Army is being represented by the 1st Battalion The BIHAR Regiment (BATALIK) and the Sri Lankan Army by their 1 Gemunu Watch Battalion.
The Indian Army contingent will be led by Col Parthasarathy Roy, Commanding Officer,1st Battalion The BIHAR Regiment (BATALIK).
The exercise will have both the contingents establishing a Joint Command Headquarters and conducting a joint exercise on anti-terrorist operations under the UN mandate towards the end of the exercise.
Exercise Mitra Shakti-VI will go a long way in further cementing relationship between both the nations and will act as a catalyst in bringing bonhomie at grassroots levels amongst both the armies.
