Pakistani and Chinese troops opened a joint training exercise, "Karakoram 2026", on Wednesday at a base in Korla, in China's western Xinjiang region. The drills focus on counter-terrorism operations at high altitude, including drone use, target search and firing, long-range sniping and joint command. The exercise reflects the close Pakistan–China strategic partnership, which also includes a joint patrol held near the Khunjerab Pass (a high mountain crossing on the border between Pakistan's Gilgit-Baltistan region and China) last September.