India, Kazakhstan to hold joint counter-terrorism exercise KAZIND from September 28

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According to the Defence Ministry, the Indian contingent comprises mainly troops from a battalion of the Garhwal Rifles, along with personnel from other arms and services and the Indian Air Force. Representative file image. | Photo Credit: PTI

A 60-member Indian Armed Forces contingent on Monday departed for Oskemen in Kazakhstan to participate in the ninth edition of the India-Kazakhstan Joint Military Exercise KAZIND, which will be held from September 28 to October 11.

According to the Defence Ministry, the Indian contingent comprises mainly troops from a battalion of the Garhwal Rifles, along with personnel from other arms and services and the Indian Air Force. The Kazakhstan Armed Forces will field a contingent of similar strength, primarily drawn from its Land Forces.

The exercise is aimed at enhancing interoperability and strengthening the capabilities of the two forces to conduct joint counter-terrorism operations in a sub-conventional environment under a United Nations mandate. KAZIND-2026 will focus on operations in semi-urban and mountainous terrain, with an emphasis on joint planning and execution, air mobility and the integrated employment of unmanned aerial systems and counter-UAS capabilities.

The participating troops will undertake joint drills involving responses to terrorist attacks, raids, search-and-destroy missions, cordon-and-search operations, securing helipads and landing sites, and special heliborne operations. The exercise will also involve the establishment of a Joint Command Post and an Intelligence and Surveillance Centre to facilitate coordinated planning and execution of operations.

The training will culminate in a comprehensive validation exercise, during which the two contingents will jointly employ the tactics, techniques and procedures rehearsed during the exercise against a simulated terrorist threat.

The exercise is expected to provide an opportunity for both sides to share operational experience and strengthen professional ties, mutual trust and camaraderie. KAZIND-2026 is also expected to deepen military-to-military cooperation between India and Kazakhstan and reinforce their commitment to regional peace, stability and collective security.

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