Pak launches biggest ever military exercise at India border

Pakistan launched its biggest ever army exercise today, invloving 50,000 soldiers, to train them to prepare for the threat of a conventional war with India in the Cholistan desert along the country's eastern border.

Pakistan launched its biggest ever army exercise on Saturday, invloving 50,000 soldiers, to train them to prepare for the threat of a conventional war with India in the Cholistan desert along the country's eastern border.

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The Azm-e-Nau (New Resolve)-3 exercise started with the demonstration of "dispersal techniques" by troops in a "battle-like situation."

The exercise is the culmination of a year-long training process initiated in light of army chief Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani’s directive to observe 2009-10 as the "year of training."

About 50,000 troops and air force elements will participate in the wargame that will continue till May 13.

To provide troops the feel of a battleground, soldiers have been divided into Blue Land and Fox Land, with the latter representing Pakistan's adversary.

A heavy anti-tank battalion of Blue Land demonstrated the dispersal techniques in the Cholistan desert. Troops also demonstrated the capabilities of armoured personnel carriers.

Supporting units, including tanks, infantry, artillery, anti-aircraft units, engineers and signals, are taking part in the exercise.

The exercise is the culmination of a process of wargames, discussions and evolution of a concept of warfare that is fully responsive to a wide array of emerging threats facing Pakistan.

Army officials said before the launch of the manoeuvres that the exercise is aimed at training troops for a conventional war along the eastern border with India.

The Pakistan Air Force's ongoing High Mark 2010 exercise will be fully integrated with the army wargame.

Azm-e-Nau 3 will be Pakistan’s biggest army exercise since the Zarb-e-Momin of 1989.