GILGIT: A joint training exercise of Pakistani and Chinese armies, “Karakoram 2026”, began in the Xinjiang province of China on Wednesday. The opening ceremony of Karakoram 2026 was held at a training base in Korla city, according to the China Military Bugle, the official media account of Beijing’s armed forces. The two sides exchanged counter-terrorism experience and Pakistani troops observed some Chinese weapons and equipment. Before the drill commenced, Colonel Chen Xi, the press secretary of China’s defence ministry, said last week that the exercise would help the two sides deepen exchanges and cooperation and enhance their ability to jointly respond to the threat of terrorism. He said the training would focus on “joint anti-terrorism clearance operations at high altitudes”. The press secretary added that the drills would involve drone operation, on-the-move target search and firing, and long-range sniping, and would cover “joint command and live-force exercises”, according to China’s Xinhua news agency. Pakistan and China share a longstanding strategic partnership. In September, the two countries held a joint patrolling exercise at Mantika Pass, at an altitude of approximately 4,700 metres, near Khunjerab top situated in the upper area of GB’s Hunza. In May, they reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral military cooperation and strategic coordination. Additional input from Anadolu Agency