Islamabad — China’s Ministry of National Defense announced that troops from the Western Theater Command of the People’s Liberation Army will travel to Pakistan later this month for the “Warrior-VIII” joint counterterrorism exercise. Running from late November to mid-December, the drill aims to bolster security cooperation and enhance the capabilities of both countries in conducting joint counterterrorism operations. This marks the first such exercise in five years, as China and Pakistan strengthen ties amid escalating threats from militant groups, particularly the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
The joint drills will include live troop exercises and multi-level training across a range of specialties. This will be the eighth installment of the series, following the last exercise in 2019. Both sides aim to consolidate their military cooperation, particularly in light of the rising violence targeting Chinese nationals working on infrastructure projects under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
China has voiced concerns over a string of recent attacks on its citizens in Pakistan, including deadly bombings in Karachi and northern Pakistan. The latest attack occurred in October, when two Chinese engineers were killed in a suicide bombing outside Karachi airport. In response, Chinese officials have called for stronger security measures to protect their nationals. Pakistan, while reaffirming its commitment to protecting Chinese projects and personnel, has dismissed reports of Chinese diplomatic pressure as speculative.
The timing of the drills also coincides with rising tensions over the presence of TTP fighters in Afghanistan, which Pakistan claims are orchestrating attacks on its security forces. Both China and Pakistan have expressed concerns over the role of Afghanistan’s Taliban government in regional instability. Despite these challenges, both nations emphasize their strong strategic partnership and ongoing cooperation in counterterrorism and regional security.
This renewed military collaboration underscores the growing security concerns in the region, with both countries working together to address shared threats.
