India-China joint military exercise 'Hand-In-Hand' begins

Opening ceremony of the sixth India China Joint Training Exercise, Exercise Hand–in–Hand 2016 was held today at the parade ground in Aundh Military Camp, here.

Pune, Nov 16: Opening ceremony of the sixth India China Joint Training Exercise, Exercise Hand–in–Hand 2016 was held today at the parade ground in Aundh Military Camp, here.

The joint exercise was held in the presence of Major General Y K Joshi, ADGMO of Indian Army and Major General Wang Haijiang of the People's Liberation Army and other senior Army officers of both the countries, said a defence release.

The parade was commanded by Lt Col Li Guanghua, Commanding Officer of People's Liberation Army.

"Both the senior military officers of the Indian Army addressed the contingents before Major General Wang Haijiang of Chinese Army declared the Joint Exercise open.

The aim of the joint exercise is to acquaint both the Armies with each other's operating procedures in the backdrop of counter terrorism environment," it added.

"The opening ceremony was followed by both the contingents displaying their weapons which included assault rifles, grenade launchers and other sophisticated equipment.

The ceremony concluded with an enthralling and mesmerising display of India martial arts of Kalyaripattu, Khukri dance and Malkhamb by soldiers of Indian Army and a massed martial arts display by the Chinese contingent.

The exercise will terminate on November 27," the statement said. Earlier on November 15, the Chinese contingent from the 13 Group Army, Chengdu Military Region comprising of one Infantry Company along with supporting staff landed at the Lohegaon airfield in two IL- 76 Aircrafts from China.

The statement said the 13-day schedule is focused upon training on crossing of obstacles, special heliborne operations, firing of various weapons, handling & neutralisation of improvised explosive devices and conduct of cordon & search operations in insurgency and terrorism environment.

PTI