Exercise Khanjar Begins At Missamari In Assam

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

Participating Forces And Duration

The exercise will be conducted from February 4 to February 17 and involves a 20-member contingent from the Indian Army’s Parachute Regiment (Special Forces) and an equal-strength team from the ILBRIS Special Forces Brigade of Kyrgyzstan. The training is being held at Missamari, a key military station in Assam, known for hosting joint exercises and operational readiness activities.

Focus On Counter-Terrorism And Special Operations

According to the Ministry of Defence, the primary aim of Exercise Khanjar is to exchange best practices and operational experiences in counter-terrorism and special forces missions. The training focuses on urban and mountainous terrain, reflecting real-world operational environments. Key skill areas include sniping, complex building intervention, and advanced mountain craft, enhancing the tactical proficiency of participating troops.

Enhancing Interoperability Under UN Mandate

Senior defence officials stated that the exercise is designed to improve interoperability between the special forces of both nations. Emphasis is being placed on joint operations in urban warfare and counter-terrorism scenarios under a United Nations mandate. This reflects the growing alignment between India and Kyrgyzstan on global security challenges, including terrorism, extremism, and transnational threats.

Important Facts for Exams

• Exercise Khanjar is a bilateral special forces exercise between India and Kyrgyzstan.
• It was first conducted in 2011 and is held annually.
• The 2026 edition is being hosted at Missamari in Assam.
• The previous edition was held in Tokmok, Kyrgyzstan, in 2025.

Growing Defence Cooperation Between India And Kyrgyzstan

India–Kyrgyzstan relations have expanded steadily in recent years, particularly in defence and security cooperation. Key areas include training of Kyrgyz military personnel at Indian defence institutions, regular joint exercises, exchange programmes, and collaborative research at the Kyrgyz–India Mountain Bio Medical Research Centre in Bishkek. Exercise Khanjar continues to serve as a cornerstone of this evolving strategic partnership.