The 20th edition of the joint military exercise between India and USA ‘Yudh Abhyas 2024,’ is currently being conducted from September 9 to 22 at the Foreign Training Node, Mahajan Field Firing Ranges in Rajasthan. US Army Officer, Captain Syama Durrani is a part of the military exercise. In a statement to news agency PTI, Capt. Durrani elaborated on her familial connections to Uttar Pradesh, particularly Lucknow and Rampur city.
She said, “This is my first time in India and I am happy to be here.” She further stated she was born in America, while her family belongs to Rampur and Lucknow.
VIDEO | Indo-US Army Yudh Abhyas 2024: “I have come here to India for the first time. I am very happy to be here. This joint exercise between operation Yudh Abhyas is a great relationship building, friendship building exercise for us. Building camaraderie together, friendship… pic.twitter.com/fQU0fN3ioF
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) September 20, 2024
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Familial Links Of Capt. Durani
Captain Saima Durrani, a Civil Affairs officer in the US Army plays a pivotal role in strengthening Indo-US Military Ties. At present, she is in India, as a participant in Yudh Abhyas 2024.
She is a scion of a family with a military background. According to Captain Durrani, her parents are both doctors who left for the US in the 1960s. She comes from a dynasty serving the Indian Armed Forces wherein her grandfather served in the Punjab Regiment.
Major Akanksha Rajput Shares Her Experience
Major Akanksha Rajput was a member of the Core of Engineers team as part of FTX during the Yudh Abhyas 2024 exercise. She said, “Our main focus was on counter-IED techniques and breaching obstacles for support to infantry in counter-terrorism operations. We did several drills during the exercise that were very important in building the capacity of the Core of Engineers to provide combat support to an infantry unit.
Yudh Abhyas 2024
Since its inception in 2004, Yudh Abhyas has witnessed a significant change. The Indian Army on Thursday said that the women troops from both India and the US are playing critical roles at all levels of the Yudh Abhyas 2024 Exercise. Defence Spokesperson had earlier announced that over 1,200 troops from India and the US are testing themselves in Rajasthan’s rugged terrain, enhancing their firepower and endurance through real-time counter-terrorism drills.
The 2024 India-US joint exercise is being conducted at the Mahajan Firing Range in Rajasthan where soldiers of both countries are carrying out counter-terrorism drills to strengthen interoperability. The drills are also part of the exercise which involved Apache attack helicopters and ALH Dhruv variants.
