Pune: Dr Subash Bhamre, Minister of State for Defence on Sunday said that MILEX-18 exercise has provided an opportunity to discuss the issue of countering terrorism from the military point of view with an endeavour to create synergy, better understanding and evolving of an institutionalised mechanism for regional cooperation in the field of counter-terrorist operations.
Bhamre was chief guest for the concluding ceremony of the inaugural edition of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) nations military field training exercise i.e. MILEX – 2018 which culminated on Sunday after a validation exercise and an impressive closing ceremony held at foreign training node, Aundh Military Station, Pune.
The other dignitaries present on the occasion included Shahidul Islam, General Secretary of BIMSTEC forum, service chiefs of BIMSTEC nations, senior military officers of the Indian Army including General Bipin Rawat, Southern Army Commander Lt Gen DR Soni and representatives of the BIMSTEC nations who witnessed a joint validation exercise conducted at the training area of Aundh Military Station.
Bhamre added, “India accords highest priority to regional cooperation within the BIMSTEC framework, consistent with the country’s neighbourhood first and Act East policy. Our leaders agreed to intensify the regional cooperation in key sectors of security, counter-terrorism, disaster management, connectivity and trade, agriculture and poverty elevation and people-to-people contact.”
MILEX validation exercise
The tactical drills showcased during the validation exercise included hostage rescue by insertion of troops from helicopters, room intervention as well as house clearing drill as part of cordon and search operations, raid on a terrorist hideout and neutralization of Improvised Explosive Devices(IED). The entire exercise was monitored and controlled through the joint command post established with representatives of the participating contingents. The exercise demonstrated the commitment and capabilities of the participating BIMSTEC national armies in working closely with each other to eradicate the menace of terrorism existing in different forms.
Equipment display
The validation exercise was followed by an equipment display organised under the aegis of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) at Aundh Military Station. Bhamre along with the Service Chiefs and other senior army officers witnessed more than 250 indigenously developed defence-related equipment.
