Rawalpindi (TDI): Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) concluded two-week long joint military exercises named Jalmood-I, which were taking place at Tarbela, on Tuesday.
The extensive joint drills were focused on hostage rescue and counterterrorism operations, involving UAE’s Presidential Guards and Pakistan’s Special Services Group (SSG).
The closing ceremony was attended by General Officer Commanding SSG and high-ranking military and defense officials as well as diplomats from the UAE.
“The exercise was aimed at enhancing joint operational skills in Hostage Rescue/ Counter Terrorism Operations as well as to strengthen the military cooperation between Pakistan and UAE,” a statement from Pakistan Army said.
As a matter of routine, Pakistani forces hold similar joint exercise with armed forces of friendly countries, with which it has a history of defense cooperation and partnerships. Pakistan has, over the years, helped other countries in training their personnel; one such country being the UAE itself.
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Currently, as focused intelligence-based counterterrorism operations continue in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces, and especially in regions bordering Afghanistan, these joint drills assume even greater role.
With a noticeable surge in attacks carried out by terrorists in the country’s northwest, counterterror measures have also been intensified.
In March this year, the Jaffar Express hijacking incident in Balochistan sent shockwaves across the country, and from a tactical point of view, the incident brought hostage rescue to the forefront of counterterrorism operations.
As with the UAE, Pakistan’s relations span across investment and economic partnerships, in addition tow defense collaboration.
A larger Pakistani diaspora in the UAE tie the two countries together while significant investments from the Gulf country have helped Pakistan survive difficult economic situations.
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