Photo: ISPR

US and Pakistan Conduct Joint Military Exercise Near Afghanistan Border

KABUL, AFGHANISTAN – The United States and Pakistan have launched a joint anti-terror military exercise in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, which borders Afghanistan.

In a press release on Wednesday, July 3, the Pakistani army announced that the two-week long military exercise started on June 29, with the participation of infantry companies from both countries.

“The exercise is aimed at sharing Counter Terrorism experiences besides refining drills procedures vital for Counter Terrorism operations,” the media wing of Pakistani army said.

“The scope of Exercise envisages attaining marksmanship skills during urban warfare by understanding best practices adopted at sub unit level,” it added.

The development comes amidst escalating cross-border tensions between Kabul and Islamabad and the growing terrorist attacks in Pakistan that have raised security concerns for the country.

Since the Taliban regained power in Afghanistan, Pakistan has seen a rise in terrorist attacks. Militant groups such as the TTP and its allies, aligned ideologically with the Afghan Taliban, have intensified their attacks on Pakistan’s security forces and civilians.

Pakistan claims that militant group members are sheltering in Afghanistan, where they receive training and access to advanced military weaponry to carry out cross-border attacks and destabilize the region.

During the past years, Islamabad has repeatedly urged the regime in Kabul to take decisive action against these militants and surrender them to Pakistan.

The Taliban’s backing of international terrorist organizations and regional insurgent groups, especially their sheltering of such groups within Afghanistan, continues to be a major concern not only for neighboring countries but also for the global community.

Russia and Central Asian countries have previously conducted similar military exercises near Afghanistan’s northern border, expressing concern over the potential infiltration of terrorist groups like IS-KP from northern parts of Afghanistan into Central Asia.

However, the Taliban deny the presence of any terrorist groups, including TTP and IS-KP, in Afghanistan. They claim to have suppressed IS-KP and assert that Afghanistan poses no threat to other countries.

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