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Pak-Afghan-Turkish forces begin joint anti-terror exercises

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Islamabad, March 25, IRNA -– Afghan, Pakistan and Turkey have launched a week-long Trilateral Joint Military Exercise at Tuzla, Turkey, the Pakistan army said on Friday.

Three countries decided to hold joint exercises at the conclusion of the 5th Trilateral Summit in December 2010, a statement from the Pakistan army’s Inter-Services Public Relations said.

The joint Exercise involves military operations in urban terrain (MOUT) against terrorists, it said.

The events include basic and battle order training, MOUT demonstration by the Turkish army, combat order, training controls, fighting in built up and handmade explosives training sessions.

Specialist teams of three countries comprising sniper and anti-tank detachments are undergoing this exercise.

“The purpose of this training is to share military knowledge, to reinforce and maintain coordination among the three countries,” the statement said.

This is the first time that a Trilateral Exercise among the three countries is being conducted on the Turkish soil, it added.

“It will play a pivotal role in cementing close military ties between the countries in the realm of combating the menace of terrorism and extremism being spearheaded by the inimical forces”.

The exercises coincided with the announcement from the Afghan President Hamid Karzai about the phased hand over of security responsibilities from the foreign troops to Afghan forces.

President Karzai mentioned several areas where the Afghan National Army will take security responsibility, which also include the Taliban stronghold of Helmand.

**1420
Islamic Republic News Agency/IRNA NewsCode: 30310207