Soldiers from the Pakistan Army Special Services Group and the United States Army sharpened counterterrorism skills during two weeks of training in January 2026.
The bilateral special operations exercise, held at Pakistan’s National Counterterrorism Center in Kharian, was called Inspired Gambit 2026.
After suffering attacks from several terrorist groups, Pakistan has sought assistance from military partners to improve and facilitate counterterrorism interoperability and uphold regional stability.
“The exercise is aimed at enhancing mutual understanding and interoperability through the sharing of counterterrorism experiences, while further refining tactics, techniques, and procedures essential for effective counterterrorism operations,” Pakistan’s Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said.
This 13th iteration of the exercise focused on combined infantry skills, advanced tactics and counterterrorism operations, including hostage rescue and marksmanship, while operating in complex urban environments. Successful joint counterterrorism operations depend on institutional links and professional respect between special operations communities, and exercises such as Inspired Gambit deepen those connections. The training concluded with a demonstration of joint assault and extraction techniques.
Inspired Gambit 2026 marks a positive development in military cooperation between Pakistan and the U.S. In an official statement, U.S. Central Command said training exercises such as Inspired Gambit “strengthen our long-standing defense ties” with Pakistan and promote regional stability. Radio Pakistan described the exercise as adding a “new dimension” to Pakistan-U.S. defense cooperation.
The counterterrorism center is among the Pakistan Armed Forces’ premier training sites and has hosted multinational training events with several partners, including the Fajar Al Sharq exercise with Bahrain, Iraq and Kuwait.
The U.S. recognizes Pakistan as a key partner in maintaining security across South and Central Asia. “Inspired Gambit 2026 reflects the continued commitment of Pakistan and the U.S. toward collaborative efforts for peace and stability,” ISPR added.