RAWALPINDI (April 28, 2026) — In a significant move to enhance regional defense cooperation, elite special forces from Pakistan and Sri Lanka officially commenced a two-week joint military exercise on Monday. Codenamed “Shake Hands-II,” the drills are being held at the Special Services Group (SSG) headquarters in Tarbela. According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the exercise is designed to refine tactical maneuvers, enhance interoperability, and facilitate the exchange of real-world operational expertise in counter-terrorism. This bilateral engagement highlights the deepening military-to-military ties between Islamabad and Colombo as both nations navigate a complex regional security landscape.
According to the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR), Shake Hands-II is a joint counter-terrorism exercise conducted between the armies of Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
“The two-week exercise commenced on April 27 at Tarbela, with the participation of Pakistan Army’s Special… pic.twitter.com/uAmfnxTYhU
— The Morning (@TheMorningLK) April 28, 2026
Highlights
- Pakistan Army’s Special Services Group (SSG) and Sri Lankan Special Forces are participating.
- A two-week intensive program that commenced on April 27, 2026.
- At Tarbela, the premier training ground for Pakistan’s elite commandos.
- The core objective is to enhance interoperability and professional capabilities through joint training and operational experience sharing.
- The exercise follows a similar recent engagement between Pakistan and Egypt, highlighting Islamabad’s active defense diplomacy.
The two-week Pakistan-Sri Lanka bilateral exercise ‘Shake Hands-II’ has commenced at Tarbela@OfficialDGISPR #News #RadioPakistan https://t.co/YOm8ilSPdO pic.twitter.com/PsaMImdm4y
— Radio Pakistan (@RadioPakistan) April 28, 2026
Strengthening Regional Security Architecture
The “Shake Hands-II” exercise is part of a broader trend of increased military collaboration by the Pakistan Army. By training alongside Sri Lankan Special Forces, the participating troops aim to:
- Synchronize techniques for high-stakes counter-terrorism operations.
- Develop a shared tactical language to improve performance in potential joint security scenarios.
- Leverage Pakistan’s extensive experience in unconventional warfare to provide Sri Lankan forces with specialized insights.
Broadening Defense Horizons
This exercise marks another milestone in Pakistan’s active 2026 military calendar. Following the “Inspired Gambit” drills with the United States in January and a recently concluded counter-terrorism exercise with Egypt, the “Shake Hands-II” series reaffirms Pakistan’s role as a key contributor to regional stability. These frequent interactions with diverse global and regional partners—including Saudi Arabia for aerial combat—demonstrate the military’s commitment to maintaining a high state of readiness through varied international exposure.
You May Like To Read: Pakistan warns UNSC of global economic fallout from Hormuz closure
Check out our latest video:
