Chinese and Pakistani military have described their maiden counter-terrorism exercise as "successful" and said it has enabled the two sides to break new grounds for bilateral military cooperation.
"The drill aims to promote friendship between the two countries. It will also enhance cooperation between the Chinese and Pakistani armies and improve their counter-terrorism capabilities," Major Cheng Bing of the Chinese People's Liberation Army was quoted as saying by China Central Television at the conclusion of the three-day exercise.
Major Cheng said the exercise, involving over 200 troops from both sides, proved that the Pakistan soldiers had rich experience in information collection and organising combat operations. During the exercise, both sides had successful exchanges of information.
The drill, code-named 'Friendship 2004' was held in Taxkorgan Tajik Autonomous County, northwest China's restive region of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, which is located on the Pamirs at over 4,000 meters, bordering Tajikistan, Afghanistan and Pakistan.
The joint counter-terrorism exercise follows the visit to China by Pakistani Interior Minister Syed Faisal Saleh Hayat during which both sides agreed on a working plan for taking effective measures to prevent and combat terrorism.
China has accused some Uygur nationals in Xinjiang as well as in other areas, including Pakistan and Afghanistan, of
being part of the 'East Turkistan' terrorist groups, saying that hundreds of Uygur nationals were training in Afghanistan
and/or fighting for the Taliban and Al Qaeda.
The joint command headquarters drill included information exchange and situation assessment. The troops also practiced encirclement, assault and mopping-up operations.
During the exercise, the troops also used "most advanced weapons," giving joint demonstration of anti-terrorism operations, according to a Pakistan military source.