BIMSTEC military exercise kicks off in Pune

The joint military exercise of the BIMSTEC nations started at Aundh Military Station at Pune in Maharashtra with a grand opening ceremony on Monday.

The field training exercise, which involves the member nations of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi Sectoral Technological and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC), will conclude on September 16.

"The aim of the exercise is to train the BIMSTEC nations in planning and conducting counter-terror operations. The exercise is focused upon learning the best practices, team building and special tactical level operations in a counter-terrorist environment in semi-urban setting," the Army said in a release on Monday.

The parade was commanded by Captain Gaurav Sharma, who is part of the participating Indian contingent. The contingents marched together smartly at the drill ground of Aundh Military Station.

Major General Sanjeev Sharma, General Officer Commanding (GoC) of Golden Katar Division, who was the chief guest at the opening ceremony, reviewed the parade in the presence of the officers of the participating nations.

There was also a fly past of Army aviation helicopters which carried the national flags of the member nations.

The GoC interacted with the contingents after the completion of the parade. The members of all participating nations also interacted with each other after the opening ceremony.

India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Nepal and Thailand comprise the BIMSTEC.

--IANS

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