Jhansi/Pune: The opening ceremony for the second edition of bilateral tri-services Exercise Indra 2019 between India and Russia was conducted on Wednesday at Babina near Jhansi in Uttar Pradesh. 

Lieutenant General DS Ahuja, Chief of Staff Southern Command along with Major General Tsekov Oleg, Commander-in-Chief, 5th Army of Eastern Military District, Russia, reviewed the parade.

According to officials, the exercise will be simultaneously conducted at Babina, Goa and Pune. 

Company-sized mechanised contingents, fighter and transport aircraft and ships of respective services of both countries are taking part in the exercise. The aim of the exercise is joint training of troops in counter terrorism operations under the United Nations (UN) mandate.

“Exercise Indra 2019 will further cement the long standing strategic ties between India and Russia. As part of the exercise, important lectures, demonstrations and drills related  to counter terrorism operations will be conducted. Both the countries will also share their valuable experience in countering such situations and refine drills and procedures for joint operations,” the Indian Army stated in a press release.

The exercise will culminate with a 72-hour validation phase which will test the skills of soldiers, sailors and airmen in conducting joint operations in a counter-terrorism scenario.