Cherat: The Pakistan Army and the Republic of South Africa Special Forces concluded their two-week joint counter-terrorism exercise, Iqbal-I, at Cherat, Pakistan. The closing ceremony was attended by top military officials from both nations, marking the end of an exercise aimed at enhancing the combat readiness and cooperation between the two allied forces.
According to Inter Services Public Relations, the exercise began on October 15, 2024, and involved two combat teams from the Special Services Group of the Pakistan Army and the Republic of South Africa Special Forces. The closing ceremony was attended by the Commandant Special Operation School and Colonel SS Lechoenyo, Chief of Staff of the Republic of South Africa Special Forces, who both observed the high standards of professional excellence displayed by the troops.
The primary goal of Exercise Iqbal-I was to refine the drills, procedures, and techniques used in counter-terrorism operations through joint training. It also aimed to strengthen the historic military-to-military relations between Pakistan and South Africa.