Mizoram: First Joint Military Exercise"Dharma Guardian"2018 Between India and Japan Concluded

Guwahati: The Indian and Japanese armies concluded their first joint military exercise in Mizoram on Wednesday, a defence statement said.

The two-week long exercise ‘Dharma Guardian 2018’ commenced on November 1 at Counter Insurgency and Jungle Warfare School, Vairengte. Authorities in the Indian Army described it as a significant step towards fostering military and diplomatic ties between the two countries.

The statement further said emphasis was laid on enhancing tactical skills to fight against global terrorism and on increasing inter-operability between forces of both countries.

“The primary focus of the exercise was to train and equip the contingents to undertake joint counter-insurgency and counter-terrorist operations in urban and semi urban terrain,” the statement said.

The contingents honed their tactical and technical skills in a wide spectrum of counter-insurgency operations including joint training on weapons and equipment, field training exercise and handling of improved explosive devices.

Commanders at various levels from both sides were trained to work in close coordination to receive and collate information jointly, plan operations and issue suitable orders to respective integrated groups.

The Japanese contingent was represented by 32nd Infantry Battalion, while the Indian side was represented by 6/1 Gorkha Rifles.

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