Russia denies holding joint military exercise with Pakistan in Gilgit Baltistan in PoK

Russia has rubbished media reports that its troops will be holding joint military exercises with Pakistani forces in Gilgit Baltistan. The area is a part of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Russia clarified the anti-terror drills will take place in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa region.

The denial came as Russian troops arrived in Islamabad Friday for the first-ever joint exercises with Pakistani forces. The exercise begins from today under the name 'Friendship-2016' and reflects growing military ties between the two countries.

In a statement from the Russian embassy in New Delhi Friday



night, Russia said, contrary to some reports appearing in a section of the press, the Russia-Pakistan anti-terror exercise is not being held and will not be held in any point of so-called Azad Kashmir, or in any other sensitive or problematic areas like Gilgit and Baltistan.The statement added the only venue of the exercise is Cherat,referring to a place in Kyber Pakhtunkhwa. Cherat lies 34 miles south east from Peshawar.

The Russian Embassy added, all reports alleging the drills taking place at the High Altitude Military School in Rattu are erroneous and mischievous. Earlier, media reports from Islamabad said the exercises will take place at Pakistan Army's High Altitude School in Rattu in Gilgit-Baltistan.