Auli, Uttarakhand – Under the banner of the annual ‘Yudh Abhyas 2026’ war games, troops from the Indian Army and the United States Army have been conducting a series of joint counter‑terrorism drills in the Himalayan hill station.

The programme emphasizes close‑quarters battle skills, with soldiers repeatedly executing building‑clearance and room‑intervention scenarios that mimic urban terrorist threats. Teams from both sides coordinated their movements, communication and fire‑control to achieve synchronized room‑entry.

Modern battlefield assets were also fielded. Unmanned aerial systems, autonomous robotic dogs, dedicated K9 units and sniper detachments were integrated into the exercises, showcasing how technology can augment traditional infantry tactics in a counter‑terrorism context.

“Training together allows us to blend our strengths and learn new approaches to neutralising threats,” said a senior US Army officer during the exercise.

American personnel engaged closely with their Indian counterparts, inspecting the gear, sharing doctrinal insights and observing the live‑fire demonstrations to deepen mutual understanding of each nation’s operational methods.

The overarching goal of the exercise is to exchange practical experience, sharpen strategic interoperability, and build a shared capability to respond swiftly to terrorist incidents across varied terrains.