Indo-Bangladesh joint military exercise begins in Meghalaya's Umroi

The main focus of this edition of the fourteen days joint exercise is 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.

A delegation comprising of 31 officers and 138 other ranks of Bangladesh Army and a Company Group of Indian Army will participate in the joint military exercise.

Defence PRO Lt Col Harsh Wardhan Pandey said that, the Bangladesh Army contingent is led by Brigadier General Md Shafiul Azam. Both armies would familiarise each other in various tactical drills and procedures.

"Soldiers from both the armies will then graduate to joint tactical operations like Cordon and Search, Raid and House Clearance Drills," Lt Col Pandey said.

“SAMPRITI-IX” started on Feb 3 with a gala opening ceremony which included an impressive parade by both the army contingents and mesmerising band display.

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 Feb 16 after a validation exercise.

SAMPRITI series of bilateral exercise is one of the major bilateral defence cooperation initiatives between Indian and Bangladeshi Army.

(By Hemanta Kumar Nath, Guwahati)