ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Russia on Monday completed the third edition of their joint counterterrorism drills named Druzba-III.

The Inter-Services Public Relations, while announcing the conclusion of the exercises that continued for nearly a fortnight, said that they were held for “exchanging mutual counterterrorism experience”.

Chief of the Army Staff Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa and the Russian deputy head of mission in Pakistan, Valadamir Betezyuk, witnessed the drills on the last day at the National Counter Terrorism Centre, Pabbi.

The drills are being held since 2016 when Pakistan hosted the first edition. The second edition was held in Russia. The purpose of the war games is to strengthen cooperation between the militaries of the two countries and exchange professional experience, particularly in the field of counterterrorism.

COAS says existing relationship between two militaries is being reinforced

Speaking at the conclusion of the exercises, Gen Bajwa said the drills were helping reinforce the existing relationship between the two militaries.

Defence ties between Pakistan and Russia have steadily grown since the two countries signed their defence cooperation agreement in 2014. The agreement, besides providing for cooperation in different areas of military cooperation, also caters for collaboration between the two sides for promoting international security and intensification of counterterrorism.

Earlier this year, Islamabad and Moscow set up a commission for promoting military cooperation.

Published in Dawn, November 6th, 2018