Indo-Nepal combined counter terrorism exercise 'Surya Kiran VIII' ends

The eighth India-Nepal Combined Exercise (Surya Kiran VIII), aimed to create a greater understanding between the army of both sides and develop interoperability in jungle warfare and counter terrorism operations in mountainous terrain, concluded on Sunday.

The exercise, which was conducted under the aegis of the Nepalese Army, also focussed on the basics of disaster management with special reference to pandemic/ epidemic control and aviation aspects.

Over the years, India and Nepal have decided to progressively increase the scope and content of the combined exercise.

The training culminated in a 48-hour consolidation and validation exercise in which troops of both countries carried out a search and destroy mission in the general area of Saljhandi.

The final exercise was reviewed by Major General Padamvillas Karki of the Nepalese Army and Major General Vinod Prakash Singh Bhakuni of the Indian Army.

Addressing both contingents, Major General Bhakuni said that the goodwill generated during this training will go a long way in further strengthening the military bond between the two armies and also in understanding each other's organisational concepts and methodology of conducting counter terrorism operations as well as sharing knowledge and experience on the issues of disaster management.

The eighth India-Nepal Combined Exercise (Surya Kiran VIII) had commenced at Salijhandi, Nepal, on February 23.