Guwahati: The eleventh edition of the bilateral military exercise, "SAMPRITI-XI," between India and Bangladesh, which commenced at the joint training node, in Meghalaya's Umroi on October 3, 2023, came to an end on Monday.
The aim of the exercise was to achieve inter-operability and to acquaint each other with the employment of a joint task force in sub-conventional operations under chapter VII of the UN Mandate (UNPKO) both armies were able to achieve the earmarked aim, the Indian Army said in a press release.
The Bangladesh contingent comprised a group of 170 soldiers of the 52 infantry brigade and the Indian contingent comprised 170 soldiers of the 15th battalion of the Rajput Regiment from 66 Mountain Brigade. The 340 soldiers from both countries shared their experience gained from conduct of various operations across the globe in the past, the release said.
The exercise was conducted in two phases. During the first phase, a command post exercise was conducted, and in the second phase, a validation exercise and field training exercise, including battle inoculation were conducted. Both the contingents jointly took part in the validation exercise which included cordon and search operations, room interventions along air efforts. The exercise also included display and active use of new generation weaponry and equipment by both the armies, it said.
The Indo-Bangladesh joint exercise is organised on an annual basis, alternate by India and Bangladesh, on a reciprocity basis. The first exercise was held in India at Assam's Jorhat district, in the year 2009. A total of 10 editions of a joint exercise between both nations have been conducted till 2022, the release added.
A closing ceremony was organised on Monday to felicitate the outstanding soldiers who performed exceedingly well during the training exercise. Both the armies shared valuable combat experiences and best practices with each other, it said.
The successful culmination of the joint training was a significant milestone in ensuring cordial relations between the two countries. Besides promoting understanding and inter-operability between the two armies, it further helped in cementing ties between both nations, the release further said.