New Delhi [India], February 4 (ANI): The joint annual special forces exercise 'Khanjar' between India and Kyrgyzstan, which was scheduled from February 4 to February 17, commenced on Wednesday in Missamari, Assam.

According to an official statement from the Ministry of Defence, the Indian Army contingent, comprising 20 personnel, was represented by troops from the Parachute Regiment (Special Forces), and the Kyrgyzstan contingent, also comprising equal strength, is represented by the ILBRIS Special Forces Brigade.

The statement also mentioned that the aim of the exercise is to exchange best practices and experiences in Counter Terrorism and Special Forces Operations in urban and mountainous terrain.

The exercise will also focus on developing advanced Special Forces skills of sniping, complex building intervention and mountain craft, as mentioned by the Ministry of Defence.

Exercise KHANJAR will provide an opportunity for both sides to fortify defence ties while addressing common concerns about international terrorism and extremism, the statement added.

The exercise reaffirms the commitment of India and Kyrgyzstan towards fostering peace, stability and security in the region.

Earlier on Wednesday, two terrorists were neutralised by the Jammu and Kashmir police, Indian Army and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) in a joint encounter in the Bansantgarh area of Udhampur following a cordon & search operation in Jophar Ramnagar.

Designated 'Operation Kiya', the White Knight Corps used X to report the focused counter-terror operation. The corps informed that the Jammu and Kashmir police provided the intelligence, based on which the terrorists were neutralised.

'Based on specific intelligence input provided by @jmukmrpolice, troops of CIF Delta, #WhiteKnightCorps planned and executed a focused joint counter-terror operation in the general area of Jophar Forest, Basantgarh (J&K) in coordination with #JKP and #CRPF, reinforcing the cordon, ensuring effective area domination to prevent escape of terrorists,' the White Knight Corps wrote in the post. (ANI)