The opening ceremony of the India–Kyrgyzstan Joint Military Exercise KHANJAR 2026 was held today at Misamari in Assam. This is the 13th edition of KHANJAR and it will continue till 17th February 2026. Special forces of both the participant countries are part of the exercise, an annual training event, conducted alternately between India and Kyrgyzstan. The last edition of the exercise was conducted in Kyrgyzstan in March 2025.
According to a press release, the Indian Army contingent comprising 20 personnel is represented by troops from the Parachute Regiment (Special Forces) and the Kyrgyzstan contingent also comprising equal strength is represented by ILBRIS Special Forces Brigade.
Aim of the exercise is to exchange best practices and experiences in Counter Terrorism and Special Forces Operations in urban and mountainous terrain. The exercise will also focus on developing advanced Special Forces skills of Sniping, Complex Building Intervention and Mountain craft.
Exercise KHANJAR is an opportunity for both sides to fortify defence ties while addressing common concerns of international terrorism and extremism. The exercise reaffirms the commitment of India and Kyrgyzstan towards fostering peace, stability and security in the region’, said the release.
