03rd April 2021 09:14:45 Hours
The Exercise Shake Hands - 1 , joint field training exercise got underway since 16 March to 31 March 2021, which was initiated by the Gajaba Regiment with the collaboration of Directorate of Infantry.
The Exercise was conducted with the participation of Six officers and 35 other ranks of the Pakistan Army and four officers and 40 other ranks of the Sri Lanka Army constituted the Ex Shake Hands - 1.
The Exercise was led under the supervision and command of the Ex - Director Brigadier Sanjeewa Fernando RWP RSP ndu and the Commandant Gajaba Regimental Centre, Brigadier Dinesh Udugama RWP RSP USP psc , together with Deputy Ex - Director, two ex controllers, two observers, two evaluators and Director General Infantry Major General Thilak Hangilipola RWP RSP , were closely coordinated the entire FTX.
The FTX "Shake Hands" provided fairly realistic scenario and situations with a special focus on tactical level military operations, internal security, and counter revolutionary warfare, infantry tactics, several and tracking, raid, identification of IEDs and sucide bombers, Identified the Explosives, Intelligence collections at the counter - terrorist environment, reconnaissance on insurgents etc.,, are some of the important lectures during exercise were held.
On 30 March (evening) the final FTX mock attck on the Insurgents hide out was conducted at the presence of distinguished invites , when HE the High Commissioner of Pakistan Major General Muhammad Saad Khattak (Retd) and the Initiator, architects of this " Shake Hands"- 1 (2021), the Chief of Defence Staff , Commander of the Sri Lanka Army, Colonel of the Regiment Gajaba and Special Force, Gen Shavendra Silva WWV RWP RSP VSV USP ndc psc Mphil , graced the occasion as the Chief guest.
On the 31 March the , colourful closing ceremony parade and awarding ceremony was held along with the participation of the Chief of Staff of the Sri Lanka Army, Major General W G H A S Bandra RWP RSP ndu as the Chief guest.
The Commander ARTRAC, DGGS, Adjutant General - Army, Commander SF HQ ( W), GOC 21 Div, GOC 53 Div, Col of the Regiment Vijayaba Infantry Regiment, GOC 58 Div, the Defence attache of high Commission the Islamic Republic of Pakistan Colonel Muhammad Safdar Khan, Committee heads of the Ex Shake Hands -1 board, many senior officers,staff officers, Senior officers of Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment , were present at this glamorous closing ceremony.
The Deep sense of appreciation should convey to the all Principle Staff officers of the Army, Council members of the Gajaba Regiment, Senior Officers of the Gajaba Regiment and others who were supportive in different destinations for providing an excellent coverage for success the EX SHAKE HANDS -1 (2021)
