RAWALPINDI: Pakistan and Sri Lanka armies successfully concluded the joint counterterrorism exercise “Shake Hands-II” at Tarbela, the military’s media wing said on Wednesday.

According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the two-week-long exercise began on April 27, 2026 and concluded today with participation from Special Services Group (SSG) troops of the Pakistan Army and Sri Lankan Special Forces.

The closing ceremony was attended by General Officer Commanding Special Services Group as the chief guest, while Major General Ajith Abeyawardana from Sri Lanka also witnessed the event.

The ISPR said participating troops demonstrated the highest standards of professional excellence throughout the exercise.

The joint drill was aimed at improving drills, procedures and techniques related to counterterrorism operations through combined training exercises.

The military’s media wing added that the exercise also helped further strengthen the longstanding military-to-military relations between Pakistan and Sri Lanka.