Shillong: ‘Maitree-2019’, the 12th edition of the India-Thailand joint military exercise is currently underway at Umroi military station in Meghalaya. The 14-day-long exercise will end on September 29
The exercise aims at training the troops in counter-terrorism operations, both in jungle terrain and urban scenario. The troops are also being trained for 48 on hours how to survive in the jungle. With no food and water provided, troops of the Indian Army and the Royal Thailand Army are being trained to tackle life in the jungle, using rain water as the main source of drinking water and being able to select plants that are edible.
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Strengthening military ties, the two South Asian nations are exchanging ideas and sharing their experiences on conducting counter-terrorism operations by demonstrating and also by giving lectures. Maitree is being conducted alternatively in India and Thailand since 2006. This year, since the exercise is being held in India, the weapons used were those of the Indian Army.
Altogether, 45 members of each of the two armies are being a part of the exercise. During the training sessions, every soldier gets a chance to be part of the exercise.
Meanwhile, the contingent from the Royal Thailand Army took a break from the tedious exercise and visited Cherrapunjee on Sunday. Here are some of the images: