The participating Chinese troops will be drawn from the Western Theatre Command, responsible for guarding the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with India and the China-Pakistan border….reports Asian Lite News
China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) will deploy troops to Pakistan for a joint counter-terrorism exercise as concerns grow in Beijing over mounting militant attacks targeting Chinese nationals working on the $70 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). The exercise, titled “Warrior-VIII,” will take place from late November to mid-December, focusing on coordinated anti-terrorism operations, the Chinese Ministry of National Defence announced.
The participating Chinese troops will be drawn from the Western Theatre Command, responsible for guarding the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with India and the China-Pakistan border. According to state-run Xinhua news agency, the exercise will involve multi-level, mixed training across various specialties and live troop drills simulating real combat scenarios.
The joint drills mark the eighth edition of the series, underlining the close military cooperation between the “all-weather allies.” They come amid reports that China is urging Pakistan to allow Chinese forces to directly safeguard its nationals amid a spike in attacks. Groups like the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) and Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) have intensified operations targeting Chinese nationals and projects in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces.
Despite Pakistan deploying a Special Security Division (SSD) of over 15,000 troops per unit, supported by 32,000 personnel from the Frontier Corps and police, attacks persist. A recent suicide bombing near Karachi airport claimed the lives of six people, including two Chinese engineers, and left 17 others injured.
China’s Foreign Ministry reiterated its commitment to supporting Pakistan in combating terrorism and ensuring the safety of Chinese nationals and projects. However, reports suggest Pakistan remains reluctant to allow Chinese forces on its soil due to potential political fallout.
The last “Warrior” exercise was conducted in 2019. This year’s drills aim to enhance joint operational capabilities and deepen practical military cooperation, underscoring the strategic importance of the China-Pakistan partnership in regional security.