Karakoram 2026: Pakistan and China armies start high-altitude counter-terrorism drills in Xinjiang

Karakoram 2026, a joint exercise of the Pakistani and Chinese armies, opened on Wednesday at a training base in Korla, in China's Xinjiang region, Dawn reported, citing China's defence ministry, the military newspaper China Military Bugle and the Xinhua news agency.

What the troops are training for

China's defence ministry spokesman, Colonel Chen Xi, said the drills focus on joint anti-terrorism clearance operations at high altitudes. According to Xinhua, the programme includes:

• drone operations
• searching for and firing at targets on the move
• long-range sniping
• joint command exercises and live-force drills

The two sides are also swapping counter-terrorism experience, and Pakistani troops were shown some Chinese weapons and equipment. Neither side has said how long the exercise will run or how many soldiers are taking part.

Why high altitude matters for Pakistan

Pakistan and China share a border along the Karakoram, where the Khunjerab Pass on the Karakoram Highway sits at about 4,700 metres. Mountain operations, thin air and long supply lines are the conditions both armies face along that frontier and in the north of Gilgit-Baltistan, which is why the exercise is named after the range.

Part of a busy year of joint drills

• September 2026: the two armies held a joint patrol at Mantika Pass, about 4,700 metres up near Khunjerab Top, Dawn reported.
• May 2026: Pakistan and China reaffirmed their commitment to military cooperation.
• Earlier this month: the Pakistan Army's team won silver at Cambrian Patrol 2026 in Wales, its fifth medal in five years at the British Army's patrol contest.

ISPR had not issued a statement on the exercise by Thursday morning. We will add details on its length and the units involved when either army publishes them.