Colombo, Oct 5 (Representative) India-Sri Lanka bilateral joint exercise Mitra Shakti is being held at the Combat Training School, Ampara in Sri Lanka with an aim to broaden the interoperability and cooperation between the armies of the two countries, the Indian Army said in a statement issued on Tuesday. The Indian Army contingent participating in the exercise comprises of 120 personnel of Infantry Battalion Group, and a similar strength from a Battalion of the Sri Lankan Army are participating in the bilateral exercise.
“Over the next few days, troops will train, share and rehearse tactical drills to undertake joint counter-terrorism operations in a semi urban/rural environment under United Nations mandate,” a statement by the Indian Army said. Senior military observers and dignitaries of the Indian and the Sri Lankan Armies will be present at the validation phase of the exercise. “The exercise provides an ideal platform for both contingents to share their operational experience and expertise while also being instrumental in broadening the inter-operability and cooperation between the Armies of India and Sri Lanka,” the statement added.