Pakistani troops start exercise with Turkey and Afghanistan

Turkey, Pakistan and Afghanistan armies have begun a week-long trilateral joint military exercise at Tuzla, Turkey.

The countries decided to execute joint exercises at the conclusion of the 5th Trlateral Summit in December 2010, according to a statement from the Pakistan army’s Inter-Services Public Relations.

The joint exercises involve MOUT (Military operations in urban terrain) against terrorists.

Basic and battle order training, combat order, fighting in built-up, handmade explosives training and training controls are included in the event also.

Special teams of the three countries comprising sniper and anti-tank detachments undertook this exercise. According to the statement, the purpose of this training session is to share military knowledge and to strengthen the military coordination between the three countries.

This is the first time in which the three countries are executing a trilateral exercise on Turkish soil.

The exercises began with an announcement from Afghan President Hamid Karzar, who spoke about the phased handover of security responsibilities from the foreign troops to Afghan forces. Karzai pointed out a number of areas, where the Afghan National Army will take security responsibility.