50 Indian, Japanese soldiers to train for anti-terror ops

New Delhi: A joint military drill to train 50 soldiers from India and Japan to counter terror strikes in urban and jungle scenarios will begin in Mizoram later this month.

The 15-day-long anti-terror drill, codenamed Dharma Guardian 2019, will be conducted at the Counter Insurgency and Jungle Warfare School in Vairengte, Mizoram. The exercise is scheduled to commence from October 19.

A statement from the Indian Army said 25 soldiers each from the Indian Army and the Japan Ground Self-Defence Forces will undergo training during the drill. Experience in unconventional warfare and counter-terrorism operations will be shared by teams from either country as part of the training schedule.

The exercise is being held against the backdrop of the threat of global terrorism faced by Indian and Japan. The first edition of the exercise, which has been planned to be held annually in India, was held last year. In the first exercise, the Indian Army was represented by 6/1 Gorkha Rifles while the Japanese Ground Self-Defence Force was represented by its 32 Infantry Regiment.

"The scope of this exercise covers platoon level joint training on counter terrorism operations in jungle and urban scenario. The joint military exercise will enhance the level of defence co-operation between Indian Army and Japanese Ground Self Defence Forces," said the Army statement.

The annual exercise has been conceptualized to foster bilateral relations between India and Japan.