A fortnight long Indo - Nepal Joint Military Training conducted at Pithoragarh (Uttarakhand) under the aegis of Panchshul Brigade, Surya Command. EKTA SHAKTI Battalion of The Punjab Regiment of Indian Army and DURGA BAKHSH Battalion of Nepalese Army participated in the joint exercise named Surya Kiran - XI.
Surya Kiran - XI, which was the 11th Indo - Nepal Training between the two countries aimed not only at training troops in Counter Insurgency Operations but also in enhancing defence cooperation and military relations between the two countries. It provided an ideal platform for the personnel of the two countries to share their experiences on counter insurgency operations especially in mountainous terrain as also on aspects of disaster management which frequently affect both the countries. The aspect of disaster management was included in an exercise to organise and conduct disaster response and management by the contingent of both the countries. The training was conducted in the areas adjoining the salubrious town of Pithoragarh which provided an excellent opportunity for the contingents of the two countries to practice and rehearse drills and procedures related to counter insurgency operations in mountainous terrain.
The other activities conducted during training included basic familiarisation with weapons and equipment used by both the countries, introduction to organisation, concepts and tactics while operating in counter insurgency environment and modalities for conduct of Area Domination Patrols and operations like Cordon and Search, Search and Destroy and aspects of Disaster Management. Personnel from the Nepalese contingent also got an opportunity to fire weapons being used by the Indian Army.
The training culminated in a 72 hours outdoor exercise in which troops of both contingents carried out a Cordon and Search Operation in a mock counter insurgency village. The dignitaries who attended the exercise were lt Gen lalit Kumar Pandey, AVSM, SM, GOC Uttar Bharat Area and Maj Gen Deepak Prasad Bharti, General Officer Commanding ,Far Western Division .
Besides training, both the contingents also participated in number of extracurricular activities including friendly Basketball and Volleyball matches, local sightseeing visit and a cultural programme during the ‘Barakhana’ on the final day. A customary exchange of mementoes marked the successful completion of this momentous 11th Indo - Nepal Joint Army Training.
The joint training was undoubtedly an unprecedented success. Besides promoting understanding and interoperability between the two armies, it further helped in cementing ties between India and Nepal.