Exercise Khanjar

The annual India–Kyrgyzstan joint special forces exercise ‘Khanjar’ commenced on February 4 at Missamari, Assam, reinforcing defence cooperation between the two countries. The bilateral drill highlights the shared commitment of India and Kyrgyzstan towards strengthening counter-terrorism capabilities and promoting regional peace and stability.

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Participating Forces and Duration

The exercise is being conducted from February 4 to February 17 and involves elite units from both nations.

Participating Contingents:

• 20 personnel from the Indian Army’s Parachute Regiment (Special Forces)
• 20 personnel from Kyrgyzstan’s ILBRIS Special Forces Brigade

The training is hosted at Missamari, a strategically important military station in Assam, known for conducting joint exercises and enhancing operational readiness.

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Focus on Counter-Terrorism and Special Operations

According to the Ministry of Defence, India, the primary objective of Exercise Khanjar is to exchange best practices and operational experiences in counter-terrorism and special forces missions.

Key Training Areas:

• Urban warfare operations
• Mountain and jungle warfare
• Sniping techniques
• Complex building intervention
• Advanced mountain craft

The focus on urban and mountainous terrain reflects real-world operational environments faced by special forces in counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism operations.

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Enhancing Interoperability Under UN Mandate

Senior defence officials stated that the exercise aims to enhance interoperability between the armed forces of both countries. Special emphasis is placed on conducting joint operations under a United Nations mandate.

Key Objectives:

• Improving coordination in joint missions
• Enhancing communication and command systems
• Developing standard operating procedures
• Preparing for multinational peacekeeping and counter-terrorism roles

This reflects the growing alignment between India and Kyrgyzstan in addressing global security challenges such as terrorism, extremism, and transnational crime.

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Strategic Significance of Exercise Khanjar

Exercise Khanjar forms an important pillar of India’s defence diplomacy in Central Asia and supports its broader regional security objectives.

Strategic Benefits:

• Strengthens bilateral military relations
• Enhances counter-terrorism preparedness
• Promotes regional stability
• Supports India’s outreach in Central Asia
• Improves readiness for UN peacekeeping operations

The exercise also aligns with India’s policy of expanding defence cooperation with friendly countries through regular joint training.

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Conclusion

Exercise Khanjar 2026 demonstrates the deepening defence partnership between India and Kyrgyzstan and their shared resolve to combat terrorism and promote global security. By focusing on realistic combat scenarios, interoperability, and UN-mandated operations, the exercise enhances the operational effectiveness of both special forces. It also reinforces India’s role as a responsible security partner committed to regional and international peace.

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