https://arab.news/8535p
- Three-week long exercise aimed at refining professional skills of both armies, says Pakistan military
- Exercise takes place amid surge in attacks in recent weeks on Chinese nationals living in Pakistan
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and China on Wednesday kicked off their joint counter-terror exercise, “Warrior-VIII,” aimed at refining soldiers’ professional skills and bolstering military-to-military ties between the two states, Pakistan Army said.
Pakistan and China share a robust military partnership, with the two states enjoying longstanding cooperation in defense production, technology and training. China is Pakistan’s largest defense supplier, providing advanced weaponry including fighter jets and submarines to its ally. The two nations frequently collaborate through joint military exercises, counter-terrorism efforts and regional security initiatives.
Warrior VIII is a three-week long counter-terror exercise with the eighth edition taking place at the northwestern town of Pabbi in KP’s Nowshera district, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the Pakistan Army’s media wing, said.
“Opening Ceremony of Pak — China Joint Exercise Warrior-VIII between Pakistan Army and Peoples’ Liberation Army of China was conducted at National Counter Terrorism Center, Pabbi, today,” the ISPR said.
“The exercise is aimed at refining professional skills through joint training besides harnessing the historic military-to-military relations among the iron-clad brothers.”
The exercise takes place amid a surge in attacks on Chinese nationals in Pakistan by separatist elements in Karachi and southwestern Balochistan province. Islamabad says the attacks are aimed at disrupting its ties with Beijing and destabilizing a multi-billion-dollar Chinese infrastructure project in Pakistan.
A deadly suicide blast near the airport in the southern city of Karachi last month targeted Chinese engineers, killing two and injuring several. In March this year, a suicide bombing killed five Chinese engineers and a Pakistani driver in northwestern Pakistan as they headed to the Dasu Dam, the largest hydropower project in the country.
China has called on Pakistan to enhance security measures for its citizens in the country. Islamabad has vowed to ensure foolproof security measures for Chinese citizens in the country.