Sikh Light Infantry troops in China for joint military exercise

Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, December 12

The seventh edition of Sino-Indian joint military exercise, ‘Hand-in-Hand 2018’, is currently under way in China’s Chengdu. Besides regular manoeuvres, there was also opportunity for song and dance.

The exercise began on December 11, and will go on until December 23.

Company size contingents of 11 Sikh Light Infantry from Indian Army and a regiment from Tibetan Military District of People’s Liberation Army are participating in the exercise.

The Indian contingent is commanded by Col Puneet Paratap Singh Tomar, Commanding Officer of 11 Sikh Light Infantry, while the Chinese contingent is led by Col Zhou Jun, Commanding Officer from Infantry Battalion of Tibetan Military District of PLA, according to an official Indian Army statement.

In the opening ceremony, Major General Kuang Dewang from PLA reviewed the parade in presence of a number of officials from both the nations.

The exercise consists of a balance of indoor classes and outdoor training activities. The aim of the exercise is to build and promote close relations between armies of both the countries and to enhance ability of the joint exercise commander to take military contingents of both nations under command. The exercise will involve tactical level operations in an international counter insurgency/ counter terrorism environment under UN mandate.