China, Pakistan to Hold First Joint Army Exercise in Xinjiang

DID Press: China and Pakistan will hold their first joint army training exercise, named Karakoram 2026, in Korla, in China’s Xinjiang region, in mid-to-late October 2026, according to China’s Ministry of National Defense.

The exercise will focus on joint counterterrorism operations in high-altitude areas. Training activities are expected to include drone operation, searching for and engaging targets while moving, long-range sniping, joint command exercises and live-force drills.

Chinese defense spokesperson Senior Colonel Chen Xi said the exercise would deepen military cooperation between the two countries and improve their ability to respond jointly to terrorist threats. The drill marks the first joint army training between the two countries’ regular ground forces.

The exercise comes amid continuing tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan over Islamabad’s allegations that armed groups operate from Afghan territory. The planned drills also reflect the expansion of China-Pakistan military cooperation into regular army training, beyond their existing air and naval exercises.