“HAND IN HAND 2008” CULMINATES SUCCESSFULLY : December 12, 2008

CAPTIONS

PHOTO 01 In an informal chat - Lieutanent General Noble Thamburaj, GOC in C Southern Command and Lieutanent General Ma Xiaotian, Deputy Chief of General Staff, People's Liberation Army at the grand stand during the Exercise "Hand in Hand" on 12 Dec (Friday).

PHOTO 02 Commandoes slithering out of an IAF MI-8 helicopter during the final assault of Sino Indian Exercise "Hand in Hand" on 12 Dec (Friday).

PHOTO 03 "Hand in Hand", Lieutanent General Noble Thamburaj, GOC in C Southern Command and Lieutanent General Ma Xiaotian, Deputy Chief of General Staff, People's Liberation Army shaking hands after the closing ceremony of the Counter Terrorism Exercise.

PHOTO 04 Lieutanent General Noble Thamburaj, GOC in C Southern Command and Lieutanent General Ma Xiaotian, Deputy Chief of General Staff, People's Liberation inspecting a combined Guard of Honour marking the end of the Sino Indian Exercise "Hand in Hand" on 12 Dec (Friday).

PHOTO 05 Lieutanent General Ma Xiaotian, Deputy Chief of General Staff, People's Liberation Army bidding goodbye to the contingents after the closing ceremony.

PHOTO 06 Lieutanent General Noble Thamburaj, GOC in C Southern Command presenting certicate of merit to a Chinese soldier during the Closing ceremony of Exercise "Hand in Hand -08".

The first ever Sino-Indian Exercise on Indian soil "Hand in Hand 2008" concluded successfully today at Belgaum, Karnataka. The exercise was aimed at enhancing inter –operability in countering terrorism by sharing and learning from each other.

Speaking at the Closing ceremony, Lieutanent General Noble Thumburaj, GOC IN C Southern Command of Indian Army said "The Exercise has nurtured strong bonds amongst the troops which will further augment bilateral relations between the two nations. Both the armies are part of universal forefront to eradicate anti social malice from the present world scenario through collective operational capabilities. This has been possible through the joint India-China military exercise wherein we have been able to hone out tactical abilities at grass root level".

Expressing similar sentiments Lieutanant General Ma Xiaotian, Deputy Chief of General Staff, People's Liberation Army said that as good neighbours and friends we will take the road to peace and harmony in the region and the world. The General also praised the closed coordination between both the armies and stated that military relations have achieved heartening progress. He added that the joint training was an important symbol of friendship.

Prior to the closing ceremony, a final Counter terrorism operation was carried out by a combined contingent from the Indian and People's Liberation Army. The operation codenamed "Exercise Atank Vinash" was undertaken to capture and neutralize militants from two adjacent villages which were especially created for the exercise. Commandoes slithered down from MI-8 helocopters of the Indian Air Force and quicky surrounded the militant hideouts. Using various tactics they neutralized a number of militants and recovered a large number of arms and ammunition. During the simulated exercise special care was taken that minimum inconvenience was caused to the civilians. The demonstration was highly appreciated by everyone present.