'Karakoram-2026' exercise to take place in Xinjiang highlands

Expansion of military cooperation beyond special forces draws attention

Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun. [Yonhap]
Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun. [Yonhap]

China and Pakistan will hold their first joint military exercise involving regular army units in the latter half of this month, focusing on counterterrorism operations in high-altitude terrain and including drone operations and long-range sniping — a development analysts say marks an expansion of bilateral military cooperation beyond special operations forces.

According to China's Ministry of National Defense on Sunday, the two countries' armies will conduct the "Karakoram-2026" joint exercise in the Korla area of China's Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region in the latter half of this month.

The exercise centers on joint counterterrorism sweep operations in mountainous terrain and will include tactical drills such as drone operations, target acquisition and fire on the move, and long-range sniping, as well as joint command training.

China's Defense Ministry said the exercise is the first joint army drill between the two countries, with the stated aim of strengthening bilateral exchanges and cooperation and improving their capacity to jointly counter terrorist threats.

China and Pakistan have previously conducted joint counterterrorism drills primarily through special operations forces and border guard units. Analysts say this exercise could mark a turning point in which bilateral military cooperation expands to encompass regular army forces.

A string of terrorist attacks targeting Chinese nationals and companies in Pakistan has also been cited as a backdrop to the exercise. In March 2024, five Chinese engineers were killed in a terrorist attack in northwestern Pakistan, and in October of the same year, a convoy of vehicles carrying employees of a Chinese company was attacked near Karachi's international airport, killing two Chinese nationals.

The Chinese government has since repeatedly pressed Pakistan to ensure the safety of Chinese nationals and investment facilities in the country.

Chinese military expert Song Zhongping told Hong Kong's Ming Pao that China and Pakistan have had a sustained need to train for joint responses to cross-border terrorist organizations and operatives, adding that drills on operating counterterrorism equipment such as drones could help improve the Pakistani military's operational capabilities.

He said the possibility could not be ruled out that the two countries would expand joint counterterrorism operations in the future, potentially extending to cross-border operations.


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