New Delhi, June 18 (NVI): An Indian Army contingent departed on Thursday for Mongolia to participate in the multinational military exercise Khaan Quest 2026, scheduled to be held from June 20 to July 3 at the Five Hills Training Area in Ulaanbaatar.
The exercise will bring together military forces from several countries to enhance interoperability and cooperation in peace support operations under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter.
According to the Army, the exercise began as a bilateral drill between the United States and Mongolian Defence Forces in 2003 and evolved into a multinational peacekeeping exercise in 2006. The 2026 edition marks the 23rd iteration of the exercise.
The Indian contingent comprises 40 personnel, primarily drawn from a battalion of the Jat Regiment, along with soldiers from other arms and services.
The exercise aims to prepare participating contingents for peacekeeping missions in a multinational environment through joint planning and execution of tactical drills. Key activities will include setting up static and mobile checkpoints, cordon-and-search operations, patrolling, evacuation of civilians from hostile areas, counter-improvised explosive device (IED) drills, combat first aid and casualty evacuation procedures.
The Army said participation in the exercise reflects India’s commitment to global peacekeeping efforts and its strategic partnership with Mongolia.
The exercise is also expected to provide an opportunity for participating nations to exchange best practices in tactics, techniques and procedures, while fostering operational readiness and strengthening military-to-military ties. (NVI)
