Pak-Saudi wargames conclude

RAWALPINDI: A three-week long joint exercise between Pakistan Army and Royal Saudi Land Forces concluded successfully on Friday.

It is worth mentioning here that the joint exercise (AL-SAMSAAM-IV-2011), conducted near Jhelum, aimed at familiarization and sharing of information through inclusive training programme in real time.

This also included collective training at unit and brigade level to observe drills and procedures in low intensity conflict operations, says a press release issued by ISPR.

It may be recalled that Pakistan and Kingdom of Saudi Arabia enjoy close brotherly relations since their inception.

This relationship has matured and strengthened further over the years and has long history of deeprooted cooperation.

Such Joint Military Exercises between armies of two brotherly countries aim to enhance existing bilateral relations and to benefit from each other's experience.

It may be mentioned that Chief of Army Staff (CAOS), Gen. Ashfaq Parvez Kayani and Commander Saudi Land Forces, Prince Khalid Bin Bandar also witnessed this exercise on October 6.

During the exercise, one battalion each from Pakistan and Saudi Arabia participated in the exercise. PAF F-7 aircraft, Cobra Gunship Helicopters and MI-17 Helicopters were used during the exercise.

The troops also participated in various drills including para-jumping.

Pakistan Army and Saudi Land Forces Joint Exercises "Al SAMSAAM" series are being conducted biennial basis since 2004.

First two exercises of the series Al-SAMSAAM-I and II were conducted in Pakistan in 2004 and 2006 respectively. Al-SAMSAAM-III whereas, was conducted in Saudi Arabia in 2009. (APP)