RAWALPINDI: Pakistan and Sri Lanka successfully concluded the joint counter-terrorism military exercise “Shake Hands-II” at Tarbela, strengthening defence cooperation and professional collaboration between the armed forces of the two friendly nations.
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According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the two-week-long exercise commenced on April 27, 2026, and concluded on May 7, 2026. The exercise involved combat teams from the Special Services Group (SSG) of the Pakistan Army and the Special Forces of the Sri Lankan Army.
The joint exercise focused on enhancing operational coordination, refining drills, and improving procedures and techniques related to counter-terrorism operations through realistic joint training scenarios.
General Officer Commanding Special Services Group attended the closing ceremony as the chief guest, while Major General Ajith Abeyawardana (WWV RWP RSP) from Sri Lanka also witnessed the concluding session.
During the exercise, participating troops demonstrated a high level of professionalism, operational preparedness, and tactical expertise in various counter-terrorism domains.
The military exercise was aimed at promoting interoperability between the two armies and further strengthening longstanding military-to-military relations between Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
Defence officials described the exercise as an important platform for exchanging professional experiences, improving mutual understanding, and enhancing joint operational capabilities against evolving security threats.
The successful completion of “Shake Hands-II” reflects the continued commitment of both countries toward regional security cooperation and counter-terrorism collaboration.
