ISLAMABAD: The 13th Pakistan–United States bilateral joint military exercise, Inspired Gambit–2026, began on January 9 at the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC) in Pabbi, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said on Saturday.
According to an ISPR statement, the two-week-long exercise is being conducted in the counterterrorism domain and involves professional contingents from the Pakistan Army and the United States Army.
The military’s media wing said the exercise aims to enhance mutual understanding and interoperability through the sharing of counterterrorism experiences, while further refining tactics, techniques and procedures required for effective counterterrorism operations.
It said special emphasis is being placed on marksmanship skills in urban warfare scenarios, as well as familiarisation with each other’s operational doctrines and best practices.
The ISPR said joint training exercises of this nature are vital for addressing evolving security challenges, improving professional military standards and strengthening the operational capabilities of both forces in complex counterterrorism environments.
“Inspired Gambit–2026 reflects the continued commitment of Pakistan and the United States towards collaborative efforts for peace and stability,” the statement added.
The exercise follows last month’s Pakistan–China joint military exercise Warrior-IX, held between the Pakistan Army and the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) of China.
According to the ISPR, Warrior-IX, the ninth edition of the annual bilateral counterterrorism exercise series, began on December 1 and focused on enhancing interoperability, refining professional skills and exchanging best practices in modern warfare.
The exercise reaffirmed the strong military-to-military ties between Pakistan and China and their shared commitment to regional peace, stability and security, the statement said.