ISLAMABAD (The Thursday Times) — Soldiers from the United States and Pakistan have completed a joint counterterrorism training exercise at Pakistan’s National Counter-Terrorism Center, underscoring a quiet but steady revival of military cooperation between the two countries after years of fluctuating strategic alignment.
The exercise, known as Inspired Gambit, brought together infantry units from the Pakistan Army and the United States military for combined tactical training focused on counterterrorism operations, close-quarters combat, and coordinated manoeuvres. According to U.S. Central Command, the drills were designed to enhance interoperability and strengthen long-standing defence ties between the two forces.
Training took place at Pakistan’s National Counter-Terrorism Center, a facility that has increasingly become a hub for multinational military engagement as Islamabad seeks to position itself as a regional partner in security cooperation. The drills involved scenario-based operations, joint planning exercises, and practical field training aimed at improving coordination during complex counterterrorism missions.
Military officials on both sides framed the exercise as part of an ongoing effort to maintain professional military-to-military links despite broader geopolitical shifts. While the United States has recalibrated its regional priorities in recent years, particularly following its withdrawal from Afghanistan, Pakistan has continued to emphasise counterterrorism collaboration as a cornerstone of its defence diplomacy.
As regional security challenges persist, military exercises like Inspired Gambit suggest that beneath the surface of diplomatic caution, defence ties between the United States and Pakistan continue to endure through structured, professional engagement.
