Indian Army contingent leaves for India–Kyrgyzstan special forces exercise KHANJAR-XII
An Indian Army contingent departed on 9 March 2025 for KHANJAR-XII, the 12th India–Kyrgyzstan joint special forces exercise, held in Kyrgyzstan from 10 to 23 March 2025.
Summary
An Indian Army contingent left on 9 March 2025 for the 12th edition of the India–Kyrgyzstan joint special forces exercise KHANJAR, held in Kyrgyzstan from 10 to 23 March 2025. Begun in 2011, the annual exercise alternates between the two countries; the previous edition was held in India in January 2024. India is represented by troops of the Parachute Regiment (Special Forces) and Kyrgyzstan by its Scorpion Brigade. The exercise focuses on counter-terrorism and special forces operations in urban and high-altitude mountain terrain, including sniping, complex building intervention and mountain craft, and includes cultural exchanges such as the celebration of Nowruz.
Key facts
- Exercise
- KHANJAR-XII (12th edition)
- Dates and venue
- 10–23 March 2025, Kyrgyzstan
- Indian unit
- Parachute Regiment (Special Forces)
- Kyrgyz unit
- Scorpion Brigade
- Started
- 2011; annual, alternating venues
- Previous
- India, January 2024
Practice MCQs 3 questions
KHANJAR is a joint special forces exercise between India and which country?
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Correct answer: C — Kyrgyzstan
KHANJAR is the India–Kyrgyzstan joint special forces exercise; its 12th edition was held in Kyrgyzstan in March 2025.
Which Kyrgyz unit took part in Exercise KHANJAR-XII alongside India's Parachute Regiment (Special Forces)?
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Correct answer: D — Scorpion Brigade
Kyrgyzstan was represented by its Scorpion Brigade.
Consider the following statements about Exercise KHANJAR: 1. It began in 2011 and is held annually, alternating between India and Kyrgyzstan. 2. The 11th edition, held before KHANJAR-XII, took place in Kyrgyzstan. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 is wrong: the previous edition was held in India in January 2024; KHANJAR-XII was in Kyrgyzstan.