Pakistani, Saudi forces conclude counterterrorism exercise

ISLAMABAD: Pakistani and Saudi forces on Monday concluded a two-week counterterrorism exercise in the northwestern hill station of Cherat in Pakistan, the country’s military said. 

The joint exercise, AL BATTAR-I, began on Aug. 22 with the participation of special forces contingents from Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations, the Pakistani military’s media wing. 

The exercise aimed at further strengthening historic military relations between the two countries, including the development of a “joint employment concept” to help in the fight against terrorism.

It also focused on identifying areas of mutual interest for future military collaborations.

“Combat aviation along with the special forces of both countries displayed their professional excellence,” the ISPR said.  

Nawaf bin Saeed Al-Malki, the ambassador of Saudi Arabia to Pakistan, along with senior members of the military leadership, witnessed the exercise’s final-day activities.

“The exercise concluded with the fly past,” the ISPR added.

Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have consistently nurtured robust strategic ties over the years, enabling the exchange of expertise in defense and diplomacy.

Pakistan’s history entails providing military training and counsel to Saudi Arabia, with the Kingdom reciprocating by procuring armaments and munitions from the South Asian country’s ordnance factories.

Pakistan’s President Arif Alvi earlier this year bestowed the Hilal-e-Imtiaz, the “Crescent of Excellence,” one of the country’s distinguished civilian awards, upon Maj. Gen. Awad bin Abdullah Al-Zahrani, the Kingdom’s defense attache in Pakistan.