The Indian Army’s Special Forces contingent has embarked on a significant mission to Kyrgyzstan, marking the commencement of Exercise Khanjar-XII 2025. This bilateral military exercise, now in its 12th iteration, is set to unfold over a 14-day period from March 10 to March 23, 2025. Exercise Khanjar is designed to bolster interoperability, facilitate the exchange of best practices, and enhance military cooperation between India and Kyrgyzstan.
Scheduled to take place in the city of Tokmok, Kyrgyzstan, the focus of this year’s training will be on critical areas such as counter-terrorism operations, special forces training in urban warfare, and tactical maneuvers in mountainous terrain. These exercises are particularly vital in light of the escalating security challenges posed by international terrorism and extremism. By participating in these drills, the two nations aim to refine their joint operational capabilities in a range of combat scenarios.
The participating forces include elite units from both nations, with India sending troops from the Parachute Regiment (Special Forces) and Kyrgyzstan contributing forces from the Scorpion Brigade, noted for its proficiency in mountain warfare and counter-terror operations. The joint drills will cover a variety of key skills, incorporating close-quarter combat techniques, urban counter-terrorism tactics, hostage rescue missions, and reconnaissance operations.
Khanjar is an annual exercise that rotates between India and Kyrgyzstan, symbolizing the strengthening strategic partnership and defense collaboration between the two countries. This initiative not only reinforces military relations but also fosters mutual trust and operational synergy between the Indian Army and the Kyrgyz Armed Forces.
Emphasizing the theme “Training Together, Thriving Together,” Exercise Khanjar-XII 2025 aims to enhance combat readiness, promote military camaraderie, and contribute to overall regional security efforts. Through this collaboration, both nations are positioned to effectively address and adapt to evolving security challenges in the changing geopolitical landscape.
