A six-day joint counterterrorism exercise, dubbed Dousti 2025 (Friendship 2025) was conducted for military personnel of Tajikistan and Pakistan at the Fakhrobod training ground in Tajikistan’s Khatlon province from August 4 to August 9. 

The press center of Tajikistan’s Ministry of Defense (MoD) says the exercise brought together around 100 special forces personnel from the armed forces of Tajikistan and Pakistan.  The maneuvers reportedly involved special forces units, airborne troops, and infantry. 

The exercise served as a platform for honing combat skills in mountainous environments, improving physical endurance and psychological resilience, and strengthening coordination and experience-sharing between the two nations’ special forces.

Participants demonstrated modern combat tactics, the use of advanced weaponry, and counter-terrorism techniques in challenging terrain.

At the closing ceremony, outstanding servicemen received medals, certificates of honor, and commemorative gifts.

“In today’s environment of rising threats from international terrorism, extremism, drug trafficking, and other security challenges, the joint anti-terrorism exercise ‘Friendship-2025’ between our two brotherly nations is both important and timely,” the ministry stated.

Tajikistan and Pakistan have previously taken part in the multinational “Regional Cooperation” drills organized by the U.S. Central Command.

Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Dawn, citing ISPR (the Inter-Services Public Relations, the media and public relations wing of the Pakistan Armed Forces), reported that two combat teams from Light Commando Battalion of the Pakistan Army and four combat teams from the Tajikistan Special Forces participated in the exercise. 

According to Dawn, the exercise was aimed at refining drills, procedures and techniques involved in counterterrorism operations through joint training.  All training and military diplomacy objectives were achieved successfully.

Pakistan’s Defense Attaché to Tajikistan, Colonel Muhammad Muazzam Zafar, reportedly graced the closing ceremony as Chief Guest from Pakistan side, while senior military officials from Tajikistan were also present.