China and Pakistan Launch Joint Counterterrorism Drills After Five Years

China and Pakistan will conduct their first joint counterterrorism drills since 2019, termed Warrior-8. The drills are scheduled from late November to mid-December and will involve the People’s Liberation Army. The exercises aim to improve cooperation in counterterrorism operations in light of recent attacks on Chinese nationals in Pakistan.

In response to increasing security threats, China and Pakistan have announced their first joint counterterrorism drills in five years, designated as Warrior-8. Scheduled to occur from late November to mid-December, the Ministry of Defense of China revealed that troops from the People’s Liberation Army’s Western Theatre Command will participate in these exercises. The collaborative efforts will concentrate on joint counterterrorism clearance operations and enhancing practical cooperation between the two nations. The Warrior-8 exercise aims to facilitate multilevel and multi-speciality integrated training that simulates real combat scenarios through collective planning and live drills. This initiative marks the eighth counterterrorism drill undertaken jointly by China and Pakistan, highlighting the growing urgency of collaborative measures to combat terrorism following a series of attacks aimed at Chinese personnel in Pakistan. A notable incident occurred recently with a suicide bombing near Jinnah International Airport in Karachi in October.

The collaboration between China and Pakistan in counterterrorism efforts is pivotal given the backdrop of ongoing threats to foreign citizens, particularly Chinese nationals engaged in various projects within Pakistan. These drills serve not only as a show of solidarity between the two nations but also as a strategic response to enhance readiness against terrorist activities that have been increasingly directed at Chinese interests in the region. The previous joint exercises have underscored the importance of military cooperation amidst the evolving security landscape.

The upcoming Warrior-8 counterterrorism drills symbolize a renewed commitment between China and Pakistan to collaborate against terrorist threats that endanger both nations’ interests. As the first such exercise since 2019, it reflects urgent security needs amid recent attacks on Chinese citizens in Pakistan, showcasing enhanced military cooperation to address and mitigate these enduring risks.

Original Source: www.scmp.com