India–Kyrgyzstan Launch 13th ‘Khanjar’ Joint Special Forces Drill in Assam from February 4

Guwahati: India and Kyrgyzstan are set to commence the 13th edition of their annual joint special forces exercise, ‘Khanjar’, in Assam from February 4 to 17. The two-week engagement will be held at Misamari and is designed to boost operational synergy, coordination, and tactical skills between the elite units of both nations. Officials described the exercise as a significant step toward strengthening military diplomacy and deepening defence ties between New Delhi and Bishkek.

Exercise Khanjar has evolved into a key component of India–Kyrgyzstan defence cooperation since it was first initiated in 2011. Over the years, it has expanded both in scale and complexity, reflecting the growing strategic alignment between the two countries. The drills are hosted alternately by each nation; the previous edition was conducted in Kyrgyzstan in March 2025. This year’s iteration marks a return to Indian soil, offering a diverse training environment suited to modern combat requirements.

According to military officials, the 2026 exercise will focus heavily on joint operations in urban and semi-urban settings, a domain where special forces play a crucial role. The training modules are expected to include close-quarter battle techniques, room intervention procedures, hostage-rescue simulations, counter-terrorism operations, and joint tactical manoeuvres. All activities are being conducted keeping in view operational frameworks under United Nations mandates, underscoring the relevance of multilateral peacekeeping responsibilities.

Officials further noted that the joint drill aims to refine interoperability, which is an essential capability in modern multinational operations. Personnel from both countries will work together on mission planning, intelligence sharing, reconnaissance practices, and coordinated execution of field exercises. The training is expected to enhance mutual understanding of combat doctrines and broaden the scope of defence collaboration.

The Indian Army emphasised that the exercise not only builds military proficiency but also strengthens the long-standing friendship between the two nations. Cultural exchanges and joint interactions have been planned alongside the training sessions to foster camaraderie among the participating personnel.

With both India and Kyrgyzstan sharing deep strategic interests in the region, Exercise Khanjar continues to serve as a vital platform for reinforcing cooperation against emerging security threats, particularly terrorism and urban warfare challenges. The 13th edition is expected to conclude with a joint validation exercise demonstrating the participating troops' combined capabilities.

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