PESHAWAR April 7, 2026 (Khyber Mail): The Pakistan Army and the Egyptian Army have commenced a two-week joint counter-terrorism exercise titled “Thunder-II” at the Special Operations School Cherat.
Troops from the elite Special Services Group and Egyptian Special Forces are participating in the exercise, aimed at enhancing operational coordination and professional skills through joint training.
The opening ceremony was attended by the Commandant of the Special Operations School as the chief guest, who highlighted the importance of such engagements in strengthening defence cooperation between the two countries.
Military officials said the exercise will focus on modern counter-terrorism techniques, including close-quarters combat, urban warfare, hostage rescue operations, and intelligence-based missions. The rugged terrain of Cherat provides a realistic environment for high-intensity training and simulation of real-world scenarios.
The exercise is designed to promote interoperability between the two forces through the exchange of operational experiences, particularly in combating asymmetric threats and insurgency.
Defence experts noted that Pakistan brings extensive experience from long-running counter-terrorism operations, while Egypt contributes expertise from its security operations in challenging environments.
Officials said the joint drill reflects the growing military-to-military cooperation between the two countries and underscores their shared commitment to regional stability and counter-terrorism efforts.
Exercise Thunder-II is expected to conclude later this month after a series of tactical drills and joint operational demonstrations.