ISLAMABAD: Pakistani and Saudi forces on Monday concluded a two-week counter-terrorism exercise in the northwestern Pakistani hill station of Cherat, the Pakistani military said.
The joint exercise, titled AL BATTAR-I, commenced on August 22 with the participation of special forces contingents from Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the Pakistani military's media wing.
The exercise was aimed at further harnessing the historic military-to-military relations between the two brotherly countries, including nurturing of "joint employment concept" to counter terrorism and identifying areas of mutual interest for future military collaborations.
"Combat Aviation along with the Special Forces of both countries displayed their professional excellence," the ISPR said.
Nawaf bin Saeed Al-Malki, the ambassador of Saudi Arabia to Pakistan, along with senior military leadership witnessed the final day activities of exercise.
"The Exercise concluded with the Fly Past," the ISPR added.
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have consistently nurtured robust strategic ties over the years, enabling the exchange of expertise in defense and diplomacy.
Pakistan's history entails providing military training and counsel to Saudi Arabia, with the Kingdom reciprocating by procuring armaments and munitions from the South Asian country’s ordnance factories.
In a notable recognition earlier this year, Pakistani President Arif Alvi bestowed the Hilal-e-Imtiaz (Crescent of Excellence), one of the country’s distinguished civilian awards, upon the Kingdom’s defense attaché in Pakistan, Major General Awad bin Abdullah Al-Zahrani.
