A ten-day Joint anti-terrorist exercise "Friendship Exercise-2006" of Pakistan Army and Chinese Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) started in the hilly terrain near here Monday. A sizeable contingent from China comprising Elite Group is taking part in the joint exercise as for the first time any PLA contingent has been participating in any exercise abroad.
An impressive ceremony was held to mark the beginning of the hectic exercise, which was chaired by Major General Liu Ming Jiang of PLA. Commander Force Command Northern Areas Major General Mohsin Kamal besides a number of senior offers and men from both the armies were also present.
The ceremony started with the hoisting of flags and playing of national anthems of both the countries. During the 10-day exercise both the contingents would exchange their experiences and skills based on modern techniques to counter the terrorist activities in their respective homelands.