CHERAT: The ninth joint Russia-Pakistan “Druzhba” military exercises have concluded at Cherat in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, with troops from both countries demonstrating coordinated counterterrorism operations in difficult terrain.
Russian Ambassador to Pakistan Albert P. Khorev attended the closing ceremony of the exercise, which brought together personnel from Russia’s 201st Military Base, part of the Central Military District and stationed in Tajikistan, and Pakistan’s Special Forces.
During the drills, the participating troops carried out joint tactical operations focused on counterterrorism, coordination and interoperability.
The exercises also featured the use of advanced weapons and modern technologies, including unmanned aerial vehicles.
The participating forces were commanded by Colonel Oleg Stetsyuk, Deputy Chief of Staff of Russia’s Central Military District; Lieutenant General Muhammad Amir Najam, Inspector General Training and Evaluation; Major General Ahmed Jawad, Commander Special Operations Forces; and Brigadier General Muhammad Imran Aslam, Commander of the Pakistan Army’s 22nd Special Forces Brigade.
Addressing participants after the tactical demonstrations on October 1, Ambassador Khorev congratulated the Russian and Pakistani troops on the successful completion of the exercise.
He praised the level of coordination and cohesion demonstrated by the participating units and said the drills provided a valuable opportunity to exchange operational experience and military traditions.
The Russian envoy also highlighted the role of joint exercises in strengthening defence cooperation and broader bilateral relations between Moscow and Islamabad.
The Druzhba exercise series forms part of regular military engagement between Pakistan and Russia and is aimed at improving coordination between their armed forces in counterterrorism and special operations.