Pak to attend counter-terror drills in India for 1st time

Islamabad: Pakistan has confirmed that it will attend the international counter-terrorism exercises in India later this year despite simmering tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbours.
The counter-terrorism exercises are scheduled to be held in October in Manesar, Haryana, under the banner of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), The Express Tribune reported.
Pakistan and India are part of the regional body that also includes China, Russia and Central Asian Republics (CARs).
Also Read Decision to not arrest ex-BJP spokesperson shows India’s hatred towards Islam: Bilawal Bhutto While Pakistan and Indian military contingents have taken part in counter-terrorism exercises together, this will be the first time that Pakistan will be attending such drills in India, The Express Tribune reported.
At the weekly briefing, Foreign Office (FO) spokesperson Asim Iftikhar confirmed Pakistan’s participation.
“Yes, there will be exercises under the ambit of SCO RATS (Regional Anti-Terrorism Structure),” the spokesperson said, adding that India was chairing the SCO RATS this year.