Itanagar, January 30 (NationPress) - The Indian Army alongside the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) executed Phase-II of the four-day joint firing exercise ‘Agni Pariksha’ in Arunachal Pradesh, with the objective of boosting inter-force coordination and combat readiness, officials reported on Friday.

Defence spokesperson Lt Col Mahendra Rawat stated that the Indian Army and ITBP effectively carried out Phase-II of the joint firing exercise ‘Agni Pariksha’ from January 25 to 28 in Tezu, Arunachal Pradesh. The exercise was designed to enhance inter-force combat synergy and operational readiness.

During the four-day event, spearhead gunners from Spear Corps, along with troops from the Artillery regiment, infantry battalions, and ITBP, engaged in a distinctive collaborative firepower training initiative validated through live artillery firing.

The exercise marked a significant advancement in fortifying joint operational integration and coordination. A primary focus was to familiarize non-gunner personnel with artillery processes and the execution of various firing missions.

Troops from the infantry and ITBP were trained to independently manage multiple artillery firing drills under the mentorship of seasoned gunners, thereby enhancing their comprehension of firepower integration in combat situations, as noted by Lt Col Rawat.

By immersing personnel in realistic combat scenarios, the exercise significantly improved mutual trust, coordination, and responsiveness among the participating forces.

Phase II of Exercise Agni Pariksha underscores the Indian Army's dedication to jointmanship, interoperability, and realistic training, reinforcing its determination to continuously adapt, innovate, and enhance inter-agency collaboration to effectively tackle emerging operational challenges.

In a related note, the Indian Army and ITBP previously conducted Phase I of the six-day training exercise ‘Agni Pariksha’ in Arunachal Pradesh, aimed at improving inter-force coordination and combat readiness.

The defence spokesman mentioned that this joint training exercise took place from January 19 to January 24 at Sigar in the East Siang district of Arunachal Pradesh, further enhancing inter-force combat synergy.

This six-day intensive joint training event represented a critical milestone in operational integration and jointmanship.

Spearhead Gunners under Spear Corps collaborated with personnel from Infantry Regiments and ITBP in a pioneering firepower training initiative.

The primary goal of the exercise was to enhance battlefield synergy by educating non-gunner personnel on procedures, coordination, and the execution of various artillery firing missions.

Throughout the training, the participating Infantry and ITBP personnel were systematically trained and empowered to independently conduct multiple artillery firing drills with the close guidance of experienced Spearhead Gunners.