Ghadeer, Saudi Ambassador to Pakistan, at the concluding ceremony of Al-Samsaam-IV joint military exercise between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan near Jhelum, Friday. — SPA RAWALPINDI — A three-week long joint exercise between Royal Saudi Land Forces and the Pakistan Army concluded successfully Friday. The joint exercise (Al-Samsaam-IV), conducted near Jhelum, was aimed at familiarization and the sharing of information through an inclusive training program in real time. This also included collective training at the unit and brigade level to observe drills and procedures in low intensity conflict operations. The concluding ceremony was attended by Abdul Aziz Bin Ibrahim Al-Ghadeer, Saudi Ambassador to Pakistan, and Commodore Abdullah Bin Saeed Al-Ghamdi, Military Attaché in Pakistan. The exercise was aimed at exchanging experience and information and enhancing bilateral relations between the two militaries through group training. The Kingdom and Pakistan enjoy close brotherly relations. This relationship has matured and strengthened over the years and both countries have a long history of deep-rooted cooperation. Prince Khaled Bin Bandar, Commander of the Royal Saudi Land Forces, and Gen. Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff, viewed this exercise on Oct. 6. One battalion each from Pakistan and Saudi Arabia participated in the exercise in which PAF F-7 aircraft, Cobra Gunship helicopters and MI-17 helicopters were used. The troops also participated in various drills including para-jumping. “Al-Samsaam” series has been conducted on a biennial basis since 2004. The first two exercises of the series were conducted in Pakistan in 2004 and 2006. Al-Samsaam-III was conducted in Saudi Arabia in 2009.
