Pakistan Army SSG and Russian Special Forces demonstrate coordinated counterterrorism operations
CHERAT, Wednesday, October 7, 2026 (WNP): The Pakistan Army’s Special Service Group (SSG) and Russian Special Forces have successfully concluded the ninth edition of the joint Pakistan-Russia military exercise “Druzhba”, held at Cherat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Russian Ambassador to Pakistan Albert P. Khorev attended the closing ceremony, where personnel from Russia’s 201st Military Base of the Central Military District, stationed in Tajikistan, and Pakistan’s Special Forces demonstrated coordinated counterterrorism operations in challenging terrain.
The tactical demonstrations showcased the participating forces’ capabilities in advanced weapons and technologies, including the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
The exercise was conducted under the command of Colonel Oleg Stetsyuk, Deputy Chief of Staff of Russia’s Central Military District; Lieutenant General Muhammad Amir Najam, Inspector General Training and Evaluation; Major General Ahmed Jawad, Commander Special Operations Forces; and Brigadier General Muhammad Imran Aslam, Commander of the 22nd Special Forces Brigade of the Pakistan Army.
Addressing the participants after the tactical demonstrations, Ambassador Khorev congratulated the Russian and Pakistani personnel on the successful completion of the exercise. He highlighted the high level of coordination and cohesion demonstrated by the participating units and noted that the exercise provided a valuable opportunity for both sides to exchange operational experience and military traditions.
The ambassador also underscored the importance of Druzhba in enhancing practical cooperation between the armed forces of Pakistan and Russia and further strengthening bilateral relations.
The Druzhba exercise has been conducted annually since 2016, providing a platform for Pakistan and Russia to enhance interoperability, exchange expertise and develop cooperation between their special forces.
