Pakistan and Sri Lanka Conclude ‘Shake Hands-II’ Counterterrorism Drills at Tarbela

Overview

• Shake Hands-II ended at Tarbela after two weeks of counterterror training led by Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
• Combat teams from Pakistan’s Special Services Group and Sri Lanka’s Special Forces practiced joint drills, procedures and techniques for counterterror operations.
• The closing ceremony featured the SSG commander as chief guest and Sri Lanka’s Major General Ajith Abeyawardana as an observer.
• Pakistan’s military media wing, ISPR, said participating troops showed high standards of professional excellence throughout the exercise.
• The drills fit a broader push by Pakistan to train with partners this year, including Jinnah-XIII in Türkiye, Thunder-II with Egypt at Cherat and Inspired Gambit–2026 with the United States.