Karachi: Pakistan and the United States have commenced a joint anti-terrorism military exercise at the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC) in Pabbi, located in Punjab’s Kharian district, according to the military’s media wing.

In a statement issued on Saturday, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said the 13th edition of the Pakistan-US bilateral exercise, titled Inspired Gambit–2026, began on Friday.

The two-week-long exercise is being conducted in the Counter Terrorism (CT) domain and involves contingents from the armies of both countries. The ISPR added that the NCTC remains a key facility for Pakistan’s joint counter-terrorism training engagements with international partners, including the United States and China.

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According to the ISPR, the exercise is aimed at enhancing mutual understanding and interoperability through the sharing of counter-terrorism experiences, while further refining tactics, techniques and procedures essential for effective CT operations.

The ISPR said such joint training exercises are of vital importance in addressing evolving security challenges, improving professional military standards and strengthening the capacity of both forces to operate in complex counter-terrorism environments.