Uttarakhand. (30 September 2024) The 08th edition of India Kazakhstan Joint Military Exercise KAZIND – 2024 commenced today at the fully developed and modernised Foreign Training Node, Auli in Uttarakhand. The exercise is scheduled to be conducted from 30 September to 13 October 2024. The opening ceremony of the joint exercise was attended by Colonel Karibayev Nurlan Serikbayevich, Commander Kazakhstan Contingent and Colonel Yogesh Upadhyaya, Commander Indian Contingent of Kazakhstan. Exercise KAZIND is an annual training event held alternately in India and Kazakhstan. The last edition was held in Kazakhstan in July 2023.
The Indian contingent comprising 120 personnel is being represented mainly by personnel from the 5th Battalion Kumaon Regiment as well as personnel from the Indian Air Force and other Arms and Services of the Army. Observers from India and Kazakhstan will also be a part of the exercise. The Kazakhstani contingent comprising 60 personnel will be represented mainly by personnel from the Land Forces, Air Defence Forces and Air Borne Assault Troopers.
The aim of the KAZIND 2024 exercise is to enhance the joint military capability of both sides to conduct counter-terrorism operations under Chapter Seven of the United Nations mandate. The joint exercise will focus on operations in semi-urban and mountainous terrain. The objectives to be achieved from the joint training include maintaining a high level of physical fitness, practicing and refining exercises for operations at the tactical level and sharing best practices.
The tactical training to be carried out during the exercise will include responding to terrorist action of occupying a defined area, establishment of a joint command post, establishment of an intelligence and surveillance centre, security of a helipad landing site, combat free fall, special heliborne operations, cordon and search operations, besides use of drones and counter drone systems.
The KAZIND 2024 exercise will enable both sides to share their best practices in tactics, techniques and procedures of conducting joint operations. The joint exercise will help in developing interoperability and camaraderie between the personnel of the armed forces of the two countries. It will also enhance the level of defence cooperation, further helping bilateral relations between the two friendly countries.
