RAWALPINDI: The opening ceremony of the Joint Anti-Terrorist Exercise (JATE) 2021 was held at the National Counter Terrorism Centre in Pabbi on Thursday.

According to a press release issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations, troops from the Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) of China and Pakistan Army are participating in the exercise, which is part of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation’s (SCO) regional anti-terrorism structure.

Maj Gen Javed Dost Chandio was chief guest at the opening ceremony,

The JATE is being conducted to practise and master various drills and procedures involved in counterterrorism operations, including cordon and search, compound clearance, close quarter battle and medical evacuation.

The exercise is aimed at enhancing synergy and interoperability among the special services and law enforcement agencies of the SCO member countries for combating international terrorism, practicing mechanisms to respond to a crisis situation and capacity building of the forces.

Stage one of the exercise was conducted in respective countries from July 26 to 31 2021, whereas the two weeks long stage two is being conducted in Pakistan.

Published in Dawn, September 24th, 2021