Pakistan

Russian forces arrive in Pakistan for first-ever joint military exercise

Russian troops will be in the country for two weeks from September 24 to October 10

News Desk September 23, 2016

The Russian troops will be in the country for two weeks from Sep 24 to October 10 PHOTO: ISPR

In a first, Russian forces arrived in Pakistan on Friday to participate in joint military exercises.

"A contingent of Russian ground forces arrived in Pakistan for first ever Pak- Russian joint exercise (two weeks) from September 24 to October 10," DG ISPR Lt-Gen Asim Bajwa tweeted.

In a first, Pakistan, Russia to hold joint war games

A contingent of Russian ground forces arrived Pak for 1st ever Pak- Russian joint exercise (2 weeks) from 24 Sep to 10 Oct 2016 pic.twitter.com/eWzQMlENL6
— Gen(R) Asim Saleem Bajwa (@AsimBajwaISPR) September 23, 2016

The Russian troops will be in the country for two weeks from September 24 to October 10. The joint military drill is seen as another step in growing military-to-military cooperation, indicating a steady growth in bilateral relationship between the two countries, whose ties had been marred by Cold War rivalry for decades.

Following the Uri attack in held-Kashmir, several Indian news sources claimed that Russia had called off the joint war games with Pakistan. However, Pakistan’s Ambassador to Russia Qazi Khalilullah on Monday denied that Russia had cancelled planned joint military drills.

Talking to The Express Tribune from Moscow, Khalilullah said the joint Pakistan-Russia military exercises will take place as scheduled. The first-ever military drills between the two former Cold War rivals – named ‘Friendship 2016’ – will start from September 24 and continue till October 7.

Russia hasn’t called off joint military drills: Khalilullah

A senior Pakistani official said that around 200 military personnel from the two sides would take part in the joint military exercises. Pakistan’s Ambassador to Moscow Qazi Khalilullah told The Express Tribune that this is the first time that military personnel from the two countries would be taking part in joint military drills, otherwise called ‘Friendship-2016’.

The development, Khalilullah said, reflected increased cooperation between the two countries. “This obviously indicates a desire on both sides to broaden defence and military-technical cooperation,” he separately told a Russian news agency.

COMMENTS (32)

Jamal-ud-Din | 8 years ago | Reply Another blow to India after recovering weapons with "Pakistani markings". Another successful diplomatic move by India to isolate Pakistan.

Stayameva Jayate | 8 years ago | Reply "In a statement from the Russian embassy in New Delhi on Friday, Russia said that contrary to some reports appearing in a section of the press, the Russia-Pakistan anti-terror exercise is not being held and will not be held in any point of so-called “Azad Kashmir”, or in any other sensitive or problematic areas like Gilgit and Baltistan. The statement added the only venue of the exercise is Cherat, referring to a place in Kyber Pakhtunkhwa. The Russian Embassy said all reports alleging the drills taking place at the high altitude military school in Rattu are erroneous and mischievous"

VIEW MORE COMMENTS

Raj - USA | 8 years ago | Reply Irrespective of everything, it is certainly something for Pakistan to cheer and celebrate, primarily because Indian news media claimed that Russia has cancelled joint military exercise with Pakistan. Also, it was too naive of India to expect this from Russia, irrespective of excellent relations that India has with Russia. Russia can have relationship that it sees is in its interest that will not harm India. Indian media making such false and unverified claims could be construed as India dictating terms to Russia, rather than making a friendly request to Russia. PS: Sanjay Kumar has already written his piece on Modi today. We should expect Sapan Kapoor to write his piece tomorrow on how India has embarrassed itself.

Oommen | 8 years ago | Reply Russian-Indian alliance is not going to end if they practice AK 47 with Pakistan. Russians are not going to Pakistan Occupied Kashmir. They even practice with Vietnam(china's no 1 enemy) same with India (China, Japan, Iran, Israel, US, Russia)

NKAli | 8 years ago | Reply Welcome! Khush amdeed! Ameen. Finally, common sense prevails! Having a military and economic alliance with a superpower that is 10000 miles away is not good business sense. India will be more successful in its relationship with USA because of the size of its populous market. At least better than ours. Salams

turbo | 8 years ago | Reply I wonder where did all the feisty Indians went who don't waste a second to bash Pakistan!

Rahul | 8 years ago | Reply Indians have been enjoying Russian made flying coffins, driving coffins and sailing coffins for long enough. It is now Pakistan's turn to enjoy!

Azeem Shaukat | 8 years ago | Reply Pakistan welcomes Russian forces for joint military exercise.................................... jealous India

Azeem Shaukat | 8 years ago | Reply Pakistan heartily welcomes Russian forces for joint military exercise.................................... jealous India

Zealot | 8 years ago | Reply @Rehman: Lets think indegenously.Russians and Chinese would be next after middle eastren countries to Boost FDI via CPEC and other projects.WE DONT NEED ANYONE's HELP DEAR......OUR TARGET MUST BE TO MAINTAIN BALANCE OF POWER EITHER BY COMPETETIVE ARMAMENT OR BY ECONOMICAL WAYS OR BY MAKING ALLIANCEs.AND THE DEMAND OF CURRENT SITUATION WOULD CERTAINLY BE WHAT I MENTIONED ABOVE.MARK MY WORDS!!!!

{Iqbal} | 8 years ago | Reply This means - a) A statement of political support and an expression of trust. b) Possible transfer of military equipment (with training how to use it) and munitions. c) Temporary protection - for the duration of training.

Ch. Allah Daad | 8 years ago | Reply There is nothing which we can learn from Russians. This is our terrain and our way of war. However Russian forces can learn how to rule while sitting behind curtain? How to aggravate situation without any reason and how to make it normal. How to PAT anarchists and fake revolutionary thugs. How to abandon them and send them abroad in middle of the night.

Dr.Shahzain Baloch | 8 years ago | Reply It shows how the India media is misguiding their own Illiterate people on many Issues. Earlier Almost every Indian channel had claimed that Russia has called off these Drills. Long Live Pakistan Russia China Iran Friendship.

Rehman | 8 years ago | Reply With Russian and Chinese help, Pakistan will be able to defeat India. Pakistan Zindabad!

Zealot | 8 years ago | Reply Its a good move by Russians.Currently india US defence pact will further bring Russians and china to pakistan so Pakistan-Russia and China alliance is likely.Russians are angry with US and even in SCS Russians started war games in SCS with Chinese.so gone were days when Russians were ready to fight with china if they supported pakistan in 1971.this is new shift in Geostrategic,geopolitics arena.US will Dump money either via TPP or via TATI.or by arming india and south east asian allies.pakistan next ally will be MIDDLE EAST.but this whole alignment will work when any aggressive,wise and visionary leader will lead pakistan.Afghanistan at the end had no option but to be a part of CPEC....SO EVERYTHING IS GETTING BETTER.....

M. Emad | 8 years ago | Reply Russian forces were in Pakistani soil (West- and East-Pakistan) as advisors with Mukti Bahini and Indian Armed Forces in 1971.

M. Emad | 8 years ago | Reply Visa-free visits for Russian and Bangladesh Diplomatic and Official (service) passport holders.

PatrioticPaki | 8 years ago | Reply @Ghazal-India, Well it's your "Indian media" who lied to the world and said that "Russia called of Joint exercise with Pak", I wonder how much your media lied to you until now.

nabidad | 8 years ago | Reply Pakistan heartily welcomes Russian forces

Parvez | 8 years ago | Reply Putin.....makes a point...... I bet someone somewhere is listening.

ghazal- india | 8 years ago | Reply Indians are doing exercise with everyone , including china and USA, so they cannot complaint. objection was for exercise in pak occupied kashmir . if exercise is in POK then Pakistan perception is correct otherwise writing is on wall

jawad | 8 years ago | Reply Pakistan also should hold joint military exercise witn Israel as well to respond to India for trying to isolate pakistan. Israel is on knee to have good relations with pakistan and it is in Pakistan's interest to have relations with israel.

Asad | 8 years ago | Reply @Shan: And I wonder how easily these lies are digested by the people of India.

Acorn Guts | 8 years ago | Reply Signs of shift, India going for US and Russia going for Pak to keep presence in the region .. Russia maybe comparatively weaker ally but is far far more reliable and loyal than US, good for Pak.

Pakpatriot | 8 years ago | Reply Very appreciated, This clearly seems that the gorvernment and establishment is out of uncle sam possession...!!

Shan | 8 years ago | Reply Well this is another sign of Russian politics of principle and straightforwardness. On contrary, US flawed policies are endangering the security of every second state in the region. Pakistan should take every step meticulously in order further cement the current trend.

Malik Saab | 8 years ago | Reply And Indian media already cancelled these joint military exercises three days ago. I wonder how much lies they made in other news and misguide the Indian public?.

Furkan Awan | 8 years ago | Reply Pakistan heartily welcomes Russian forces.

Mozart | 8 years ago | Reply Welcome! Great timing as well :).

HT | 8 years ago | Reply All to Indian newspaper quoted that these exercises are cancelled. ?????? World is isolating Pakistan because of Indian pressure. Another Failure of Indian diplomacy, their longstanding friend now building military relations with Pakistan. Modi will proved to be a disaster for India....

Zeeshan | 8 years ago | Reply And the Indians were saying that these were cancelled :D lalalalallala

IBN E ASHFAQUE | 8 years ago | Reply Welcome Russia.........for Indians Pakistan is really isolated....

Replying to X