BATHINDA: The troops of the Bathinda-based Chetak Corps along with a contingent of US troops today conducted a joint cordon and drill here to neutralise terrorists in an abandoned village in the desert ranges.
The drill, codenamed “Desert Lark”, saw the Indian and US troops establish a cordon using their combat vehicles at night and then conduct dismounted searches by day to flush out insurgents as also use the third dimension as part of the operation.
The Sarvada Saviours troops focused on the challenges faced by Sappers in the domain of countering threats of the Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), infrastructure development in strife-torn regions and inaccessible areas and execution of rescue and relief operations during natural calamities or disasters. The exercise provided an opportunity to both sides to understand functioning of Engineer Brigades with special emphasis on operations under United Nations mandate in troubled areas.
The exercise was witnessed by an Indian and US Army delegation, headed by the GOC-in-C South Western Command, Lt.General Gian Bhushan and Lt Gen Francis “Frank” Wiercinski, commander of the US Army Pacific, as also the co-chair of the Executive Steering Group (ESG) for the Indo-US army training events and exchanges. In addition, a number of senior members of the Indian Army also witnessed the drills and interacted with the troops participating in the exercise, both at Mahajan and Bathinda.
The ongoing fortnight-long exercise “Yudh Abhyas” is part of a series of joint exercises between the Indian and the United States Armies since 2005, agreed upon under the New Framework of India-US Defence Relationship.
The seventh edition of “Yudh Abhyas” is under way since March 5 in two locations under the South Western Command.
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