Pakistan & Turkish Commandos Complete High-Stakes Special Forces Drill

In a strong demonstration of defense cooperation and tactical integration, combat teams from the Pakistan Army and Turkish Special Forces successfully concluded the Jinnah-XIII Joint Commando Exercise.

Conducted across strategic military training complexes in Ankara and Isparta, the bilateral exercise focused on high-risk counter-terrorism operations, urban warfare scenarios, and complex combat logistics.

According to statements released by the military’s media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the exercise achieved all operational diplomacy objectives while showcasing exceptional tactical proficiency from both participating forces.

The Jinnah series—paired with its sister exercise, the Atatürk series—stands as a primary pillar in the deep strategic alliance between Islamabad and Ankara.

Bilateral Exercise Series	Hosting Nation	Key Operational Locations	Core Tactical Objectives
"Jinnah" Series (e.g., Jinnah-XIII, April 2026)	Türkiye	Ankara & Isparta Training Complexes	• Counter-terrorism (CT) operations • Combat in Built-Up Areas (CBUA) • Counter-Improvised Explosive Devices (C-IED)
"Atatürk" Series (e.g., Atatürk-XII, Tarbela)	Pakistan	Tarbela & Cherat Special Operations Facilities	• Compound & cave clearance drills • Advanced sniper techniques • Tactical combat casualty care (TCCC)

1. Tactical Focus: Urban Warfare and Anti-Terror Protocols

Modern security environments present complex challenges that demand rapid adaptability and specialized skill sets. During the Jinnah-XIII exercise, commando units trained extensively in Built-Up Area Combat (FIBUA/MOUT)—the tactical discipline of navigating and clearing hostile structures in dense urban environments.

The joint drills emphasized several key operational areas:

• Counter-IED Operations: Detecting, disarming, and neutralizing advanced improvised explosive devices deployed by asymmetric threats.

• Close-Quarters Battle (CQB): Synchronized room-clearing, fast-rope insertions, and precision marksmanship under high-stress conditions.

• Hostage Recovery & Direct Action: Executing joint raid missions behind simulated enemy lines with real-time tactical communications.

• Alpine & Special Terrain Maneuvers: Utilizing the rugged terrain of Isparta to hone mountain warfare survival, surveillance, and ambush tactics.

2. The Annual Exercise Framework: Jinnah vs. Atatürk Series

The defense relationship between Pakistan and Türkiye relies on institutional consistency. To maintain high operational readiness, the two militaries alternate hosting duties each year.

Exercise Parameter	Jinnah Series (e.g., Jinnah-XIII)	Atatürk Series (e.g., Atatürk-XII)
Host Nation	Türkiye (Ankara, Isparta)	Pakistan (Cherat, Tarbela, Islamabad)
Primary Units	Turkish Land Forces & PAK SSG	PAK Special Services Group & Turkish Commandos
Tactical Focus	Counter-IED, Urban CQB, Air Assault	Mountain Warfare, Counter-Insurgency, Recon
Diplomatic Goal	Interoperability & Strategic Transfer	Joint Force Integration & Technology Sharing

3. Deepening Strategic Defense Partnership

Beyond tactical foot drills, the completion of Jinnah-XIII reflects a growing strategic alignment between Pakistan and Türkiye. Over the past decade, bilateral military cooperation has expanded from joint training exercises into massive industrial defense contracts, aerospace engineering, and naval co-production.

Cooperation Pillar	Key Strategic Focus	Primary Platforms & Defense Initiatives
Special Forces	Joint counter-terrorism, tactical urban warfare, and special operations training	Jinnah (Türkiye-hosted) & Atatürk (Pakistan-hosted) annual bilateral exercise series
Aerospace Tech	5th-generation stealth combat aircraft development & industrial tech transfer	TAI KAAN multirole fighter program (joint production agreements & embedded engineering teams)
Naval Modernization	Surface fleet stealth capability & submarine electronic/sensor overhauls	Babur-class (MILGEM) corvettes & Agosta 90B-class submarine mid-life modernizations (STM upgrades)

These defense initiatives include:

1. Naval Modernization: Türkiye’s key role in upgrading the Pakistan Navy's Agosta 90B-class submarines and co-building MILGEM Ada-class corvettes.

2. Aerospace Innovation: Collaborative ventures in unmanned aerial systems (UAS) and joint development frameworks around fifth-generation fighter platforms.

3. Shared Doctrine: Establishing unified military doctrines so that commandos from both nations can seamlessly integrate into combined operational task forces during international security crises.

4. Operational Excellence and Future Outlook

The conclusion of Jinnah-XIII marks another milestone in regional military readiness. Both military leaderships expressed high satisfaction with the combat standards displayed by the troops.

As asymmetric warfare threats continue to evolve globally, the routine execution of high-intensity drills ensures that both the Pakistan Special Services Group (SSG) and Turkish Special Forces maintain a decisive edge in counter-terrorism and elite combat operations.

Conclusion

The Jinnah-XIII exercise reinforces the long-standing military brotherhood between Pakistan and Türkiye. By refining counter-terrorism tactics, master-class room clearing, and counter-IED procedures in Ankara and Isparta, both nations have demonstrated their commitment to regional security and shared defense capabilities. As strategic ties expand across land, air, and sea domains, this partnership remains a cornerstone of stability for both countries.