Indian, Russian armies to hold joint counter-terror exercise

The fourth round of army-to-army exercise between the two Armies will involve over 250 troops from both sides and is to be conducted at a training range in Republic of Buryatia in South East of Russia, officials said.

The exercise, INDRA-2012, aims at carrying out counter-terrorism operations by mechanised heavy combat group under UN mandate, they said.

The primary motive of the exercise is to prepare forces of both the countries for anti terrorist operations to eliminate terrorist groups and also to conduct recce and search actions and isolation of terrorist groups, they said.

The Indian contingent is headed by Additional Director General (Mechanised Forces) Maj Gen R S Chand and includes troops from 14 Mechanised Infantry, 16 Jammu and Kashmir Rifles and troops from Parachute Regiment, Artillery and the Army Medical Corps, the officials said.

During the exercise, the Indian troops will also get an opportunity to use Russian equipment, officials said.

An Indian Air Force (IAF) Ilyushin-76 aircraft will also be the part of the exercise ending on August 16.

India and Russia have so far conducted three rounds of INDRA exercises. The first exercise was carried out in 2005 in Rajasthan, followed by Prshkov in Russia. The third exercise was conducted at Chaubattia in Kumaon hills some time ago.