ForumIAS announcing GS Foundation Program for UPSC CSE 2025-26 from 19 April. Click Here for more information.
ForumIAS Answer Writing Focus Group (AWFG) for Mains 2024 commencing from 24th June 2024. The Entrance Test for the program will be held on 28th April 2024 at 9 AM. To know more about the program visit: https://forumias.com/blog/awfg2024
Source-This post is based on the article “Indian – Kyrgyzstan Joint special forces Exercise Khanjar Commences In Himachal Pradesh” published in “PIB” on 22nd January 2024.
What is the News?
India and Kyrgyzstan Special Forces started a military exercise named “Exercise Khanjar” at the Special Forces Training School in Bakloh, Himachal Pradesh.
About Exercise Khanjar
- Exercise Khanjar is a Joint Special Forces Military Exercise between India and Kyrgyzstan. It is an annual event conducted alternatively in both the countries.
- Initiated in: The exercise was started in the year 2011. This is the Eleventh Edition of the Exercise.
- Aim: To exchange experiences and best practices in Counter Terrorism and Special Forces Operations in Built-up Area and Mountainous Terrain under Chapter VII of United Nations Charter.
- Features of 11th Edition:
a. It focusses on enhancing Special Forces skills and advanced insertion/extraction techniques.
b. The Indian contingent represented by the Parachute Regiment (Special Forces), and the Kyrgyzstan contingent comprising 20 personnel is represented by Scorpion Brigade.
Significance: The Exercise offers a chance for both the contingents to strengthen bonds, share best practices, and achieve shared security objectives. It will also foster bilateral relations between the friendly nations.
Click Here to Read about Special Forces of India
Other Exercises by Special Forces of India:
- Exercise Vajra Prahar is a Special Forces joint military exercise between India and the US. This exercise takes place alternately in India and the US.
- Aim: The aim of the exercise is to enable sharing of best practices and experiences in areas such as joint mission planning capabilities and operational tactics.
About Kyrgyzstan:
- Kyrgyzstan is a landlocked country in Central Asia bordering Kazakhstan, China, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. Its capital is Bishkek.
- Significance: It is often referred to as ‘Central Asia’s only democracy.
- Member of: Kyrgyzstan is a member of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO).
- CSTO is a Russia-led military alliance, aims to ensure the collective defence of any member that faces external aggression.
- Further, Kyrgyzstan is also a member of the Commonwealth of Independent States, Eurasian Economic Union, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation and the United Nations.
- The mountainous region of Tian Shan covers over 80% of the country.
UPSC Syllabus- Miscellaneous (Defence)
