Indo-US counter terrorism drill in Belgaum

A total of 160 US Marines are participatingin a counter-terrorism drill along with an equal number of Indian soldiers in a semi-urban terrain inBelgaum district in Karnataka.

The counter-terrorism drill named Shatrujeet 06 is afollow up to the similar joint Indo-US exercise held at Pendleton in the US during June last year. India and US are jointly holding the anti-terrorism training capsule with a view to sharing mutual experiences on counter terrorism operations.

A total of 160 personnel each from Rifle company of 21 batallion of Punjab regiment of Indian Army and 2/4 Marine Regiment US are participating in the joint drill, which is also focused on sharing of intelligence, communication, weapons and equipment, besides use of minimum force to achieve desired military objectives, precautions to ensure nil or minimum collateral damage.

The second in the series of Shatrujeet counter-terrorism drills is seen as a continuation ofa process aimed at strengthening bilateral ties between India and the United States in the areas ofpolitical, military and economic importance after the September 11 terrorist strike on the US.

The ten-day-long joint military exercise by the armies of two largest democracies is expected to end with a validation exercise based on cordon and search operations. While Commanding Officer of 21 Punjab Infantry Battalion Colonel Vijay B Nair leads theIndian contingent, Major J Scrabeck of 2/4 US Marines Corps leads the US Marines.

The joint anti-terror exercise has also given the US Marines an opportunity to experience the quintessentially Indian sport of Kabaddi and learn the basics of cricket. Clearly fascinated by Kabaddi, theAmerican troops are understood to be playing the game even in the barracks.