ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has commenced its biggest ever army exercise codenamed “Zarb-E -Momin”, involving nearly 200,000 troops, with the advancement of combat and assault units to the areas of engagement and simulated encounters.
The war games stretching over two thirds of the country’s territory incorporates mechanized formations and also partially integrates the Pakistan air force exercise, high mark.
The exercise started recently with the “creation” of two neighboring states “fox land” and “blue land” having identical weapons and troops, but offering strategic vulnerabilities with the commanders of both the sides hoping to exploit to their “advantage”.
Zarb-E-Momin the brainchild of the Pakistani army chief Gen Mirza Aslam Beg, is the fourth major exercise of the army. The first one “yellow Lizard” with only two divisions was held in the late 1950s. The second one “Telzgam” was conducted in 1962. This was followed by “crystal Ball” in the late 1960s.
The current exercise is aimed at testing the operational and strategic preparedness of the defense forces against the backdrop of changing defense, defensive and offensive operations.
Representatives of 22 countries are expected to witness part of the exercise. Two teams of journalists are already in field areas getting “daily briefings” of the progresses in the operations.
Article extracted from this publication >> December 15, 1989
