Pakistani, Chinese armies begin joint training exercise in Xinjiang

Pakistani, Chinese armies commence joint training exercise in Xinjiang.

Key points

• Jamil Nagri Published October 15, 2026 Updated October 15, 2026 12: 13am.
• GILGIT: A joint training exercise of Pakistani and Chinese armies, "Karakoram 2026", began in the Xinjiang province of China on Wednesday.
• Jamil Nagri is a Gilgit-Baltistan-based correspondent for Dawn with over a decade of experience in journalism.
• The two sides exchanged counter-terrorism experience and Pakistani troops observed some Chinese weapons and equipment.
• In May, they reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral military cooperation and strategic coordination.

Jamil Nagri Published October 15, 2026 Updated October 15, 2026 12: 13am. Join our Whatsapp Channel.

For context, the opening ceremony of Karakoram 2026 was held at a training base in Korla city, according to the China Military Bugle, the official media account of Beijing's armed forces.

For context, the two sides exchanged counter-terrorism experience and Pakistani troops observed some Chinese weapons and equipment.

Before the drill commenced, Colonel Chen Xi, the press secretary of China's defence ministry, remarked last week that the exercise would assist the two sides deepen exchanges and cooperation and enhance their ability to jointly respond to the threat of terrorism.

He remarked the training would focus on "joint anti-terrorism clearance operations at high altitudes".

Meanwhile, the press secretary continued that the drills would involve drone operation, on-the-move target search and firing, and long-range sniping, and would cover "joint command and live-force exercises", according to China's Xinhua news agency.

Pakistan and China share a longstanding strategic partnership. In September, the two countries held a joint patrolling exercise at Mantika Pass, at an altitude of approximately 4, 700 metres, near Khunjerab top situated in the upper area of GB's Hunza.

In May, they reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral military cooperation and strategic coordination. Extra input from Anadolu Agency.

Jamil Nagri is a Gilgit-Baltistan-based correspondent for Dawn with over a decade of experience in journalism. His reporting and feature writing focus on CPEC, climate change, the environment, and adventure tourism. He can be discovered on X at @jamilnagri.

Taken together, the developments around pakistani, Chinese armies begin joint training exercise in Xinjiang point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.