India-Kyrgyzstan Joint Special Forces Exercise KHANJAR-XII Begins March 10

Bishkek: The 12th edition of the India-Kyrgyzstan Joint Special Forces Exercise KHANJAR-XII is set to take place in Kyrgyzstan from March 10 to March 23, 2025. Since its launch in 2011, the annual military drill has served as a key platform for strengthening the strategic partnership between the two nations. The last edition was conducted in India in January 2024, and this year’s exercise marks a continuation of the alternating-host format.

The Indian contingent will be represented by troops from The Parachute Regiment (Special Forces), while the Kyrgyz Scorpion Brigade will lead the Kyrgyzstan side.

The primary objective of KHANJAR-XII is to enhance counter-terrorism strategies and Special Forces operations in urban and high-altitude mountainous terrain. The joint training will cover advanced sniping techniques, complex building interventions, and mountain warfare skills—critical competencies for modern-day special forces.

Beyond military drills, the exercise will also incorporate cultural exchanges, with both contingents celebrating Nowruz, Kyrgyzstan’s traditional festival, fostering deeper mutual understanding and camaraderie.