Indo-US joint drill focusses on interoperability

Belgaum, Oct 31 (UNI) The ten-day joint Indo-US capsule on counter terrorism 'Shatrujeet 06', being conducted at the Maratha Light Infantry Regimental Centre here from October 25, was aimed at developing and refining interoperability at the functional level and sharing experience of counter terrorism.

The exercise was a follow up of the joint Indo-US 'Shatrujeet 05', held at camp Pendleton, US, in January 2005.

Briefing the media here today, commanding officers Col Vijay Nair and Major Johnas Crabecks said terrorism had become a global phenomenon with no easy answers or quick fix solutions to its complex nuances. In today's dynamic scenario, human and car bombs and Improvised Explosive Devices were being used to devastating effect. Trends also indicate that suicide terrorism, prevalent across the world and the most difficult to counter, was here to stay.

Col Nair said the Indian Army, with its experience of combating terrorism over several years, and US Army, with its experience in Iraq and Afghanistan, could share their expertise at the functional level to refine tactics and enhance operational effectiveness.

He said the focus of training was on interoperability with regard to sharing of intelligence, communication, weapons and equipment, use of minimum force to achieve desired military objectives, measures to minimise collateral damage and mission accomplishment with minimum casualty to own personnel. The joint training would culminate in a validation exercise based on Cordon and Search Operations, commencing in the day. ''It has been a professionally exhilarating experience. We have learnt from each other and our counter terrorist drills and modus operandi have matured,'' he added.

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