By Asghar Ali Mubarak
CHERAT: Pakistan and Egypt launched a two-week bilateral counter-terrorism exercise, Thunder-II, at the Special Operations School in Cherat, in a move seen as a significant step in reinforcing military cooperation and enhancing operational preparedness between the two countries.
The exercise, which began on 6 April 2026, brought together elite units from the Pakistan Army’s Special Services Group and the Special Forces of the Egyptian Army, reflecting a longstanding partnership rooted in shared strategic interests and mutual trust.
The opening ceremony was presided over by the Commandant of the Special Operations School, who underlined the importance of such joint initiatives not only for professional skill development but also for strengthening regional security.
Over the course of the two-week exercise, participating troops were expected to engage in a series of coordinated drills, high-intensity operational simulations, and practical exercises aimed at improving counter-terrorism tactics and decision-making under pressure.
Thunder-II was designed to provide a platform for the exchange of expertise and operational knowledge, allowing both armies to share lessons learned from past missions and to develop new strategies for responding to contemporary security threats.
Officials noted that beyond tactical training, the exercise offered an opportunity to build professional networks, enhance interoperability between units, and cultivate an understanding of each other’s operational procedures, which could prove vital in joint or coordinated missions in the future.
The exercise, they added, reinforced Pakistan and Egypt’s shared dedication to combating evolving threats while deepening the bonds of military collaboration that have endured for decades.
