The 13th edition of the bilateral annual military exercise Surya Kiran by the armies of India and Nepal commenced on Wednesday at Pithoragarh. The aim of the exercise is joint training of troops in counter insurgency/ counter terrorism operations in both jungle and mountainous terrain and disaster management. According to Indian army sources, the Surya Kiran exercise can be termed as the hallmark of long standing strategic ties between India and Nepal. In this exercise, the Indian Army is being represented by 13th Battalion of the Jammu and Kashmir Rifles (Kargil) while the Nepal Army is being represented by the Gorakh Box Battalion.

Official sources further informed that as part of the exercise, important lectures, demonstrations and drills related to counter insurgency, counter terrorism operations and disaster management will be conducted in Pithoragarh. Both the armies will also share their valuable experiences in countering such situations along with refined drills and procedures for joint operation wherever the need for the same arises.

The commander of the Panchshul Brigade, brigadier Ranjan Mallik interacted with armymen and women from India and Nepal on the first day of the exercise.

The 13th edition of the Surya Kiran exercise will culminate with a 72-hour joint exercise which will show the joint skills of soldiers while conducting any counter terrorist operation.

One of the important aspects of this joint Indo-Nepal battalion level exercise is that one lady officer and eight women soldiers of the Nepal Army are also participating for the first time ever. Three lady officers of the Indian Army are also part of the exercise.