The Pakistan Army and China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) have launched “Warrior-IX,” the ninth edition of their annual joint counterterrorism exercise, reflecting the growing depth of defence cooperation between the two countries, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said on Tuesday.
According to the military’s media wing, the exercise began on December 1 and is focused on counterterrorism operations aimed at boosting interoperability, sharpening professional skills, and sharing modern warfare best practices.
Pakistan and China share a longstanding, time-tested defence partnership built on mutual trust and strategic alignment. ISPR stated that Exercise Warrior-IX serves as a strong testament to the robust military-to-military ties between the two nations and underscores their joint commitment to promoting regional peace, stability, and security.
The opening ceremony, held at the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC) in Pabbi, was attended by senior military leadership from both sides, including Mangla Corps Commander, Major General Bian Xiaoming, Deputy Chief of Staff of the PLA’s Western Theatre Command, along with other high-ranking officials.
