New Delhi, Sep 29: The 14th edition of the joint Indo-US military exercise 'Yudh Abhyas' culminated at Chaubatia in Uttarakhand on Saturday, the Indian Army said in a statement. The exercise, which saw participation of an Infantry Battalion of the Indian Army and the 1st Battalion 23 Infantry Regiment of the US Army, had commenced on September 16. The Yudh Abhyas started in 2004 under the US Army Pacific Partnership Programme. It is being hosted alternately by the two countries since then. "Exercise Yudh Abhyas strengthens and broadens interoperability and cooperation between the Indian and the US armies. It is the fourth Indian-US Army exercise at Chaubattia and complements number of other exchanges and exercises between the forces," the statement said. Iran Carries Out Massive Naval Exercise in Persian Gulf Amid Tensions with U.S..

Over the years, the two countries have decided to progressively increase the scope and content of the combined exercise and 'Yudh Abhyas 2018' witnessed a division headquarter-based command post exercise and one infantry battalion each carrying out field training exercise under the joint brigade headquarters, it said.

The exercise, the statement said, provided an ideal platform for armies of the two countries to share their experiences on counter terrorist operations, especially in mountainous terrain. "The commanders and staff officers of both the sides were exercised to work in close coordination to receive and collate intelligence and to issue operational orders to the combined field training components, who executed these orders on ground in simulated realistic situation," it said.

The training, the statement said, culminated in a 48-hour consolidation and validation exercise in which troops carried out a rescue and destroy mission in the general area of Pilkholi near Chaubattia. "The combined exercise was, undoubtedly, an unprecedented success. Besides promoting understanding and interoperability between the two armies, it further helped in strengthening ties between India and the US," it added. Ahead of 2 Plus 2. Dialogue, India-US Hold Joint Military Cooperation Meet.