China, India conduct joint anti-terror drill

Officers and soldiers of the Chinese and Indian troops pose for photos after a training exercise. [Photo / chinadaily.com.cn]

A Chinese infantry company and an Indian infantry company fought side by side in a counter-terrorism military drill in Sichuan province on Wednesday.

At the Chengdu Military Area Command training center of the People's Liberation Army on Mount Emei, Chinese and Indian troops staged a simulated battle aimed at routing out international terrorists.

During the hour-long comprehensive drill, soldiers exercised training in weaponry, including drones, cluster rockets, mortars, anti-tank rockets and flamethrowers.

The exercise was the final stage in a three-stage comprehensive training program called the "Hand in Hand 2013" China-India Army Counter-Terrorism Joint Training Exercise, which started on Nov 5.

The first stage from Nov 5 to 7, focused on weaponry displays and technical and tactical exchanges.

During the second stage from Nov 7 to 12, Chinese and Indian officers and soldiers received training in tactical sign language, hostage rescue and capturing and escorting terrorists.

Zhou Xiaozhou, lieutenant general of the Chengdu Military Area Command of the PLA, and Ainil Kumar Ahuja, lieutenant general of the Eastern Command of the Indian Army, observed the simulated battle on Wednesday.

In the closing ceremony of the training exercise, Zhou and Ahuja awarded certificates and medals to 10 officers and 20 soldiers from both troops for their excellent performance.

Zhou said:"Sino-Indian military ties are an important part of bilateral relations. The joint counter-terrorism training exercise has further expanded cooperation between both troops. It shows the firm determination and good will of both countries' militaries to jointly safeguard regional peace and stability for a harmonious environment for development."

Ahuja said that as the leader of the Indian delegation, he wished to convey the message that the exercise was not the end of Hand in Hand.

It was the beginning of another chapter of the exercise, in which new friendships were made by the participants in the last few days — while they exercised, lived, ate and worked together, Ahuja said.

"Let's use this understanding of each other to maintain peace along our borders. We share a very special relationship with the Chengdu Military Area Command, as (both infantries) worked shoulder to shoulder and 'hand in hand' on our borders," he said.

The Hand in Hand counter-terrorism joint training exercises have been conducted in China in 2007, India in 2008.

"We are looking forward to 'Hand-in-Hand 2014' to be held in India next year," Zhou said.