The Western Theater Command of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army would send troops to Pakistan to participate in a joint anti-terrorism exercise from late November to mid-December, the Ministry of National Defense announced Tuesday.

Coded “Warrior-VIII,” the exercise would focus on joint counter-terrorism clean-up and strike operations. The two sides would engage in multi-level and mixed training across various specialties, and organise live troop drills in accordance with the actual combat process, the ministry said.

According to China Military Online, this year’s exercise is the eighth joint exercise of the series between the Chinese and Pakistani militaries, with the aim to consolidate and deepen practical exchanges and cooperation, as well as enhance the capability for conducting joint counter-terrorism operations.

The last joint exercise in this series was held in 2019.

Pakistan has seen an uptick in terrorist attacks, including some of them against Chinese nationals working in the country.

Earlier this year, Commander of the People’s Liberation Army Ground Forces Gen Li Qiaoming visited Pakistan and held meetings with heads of the state and Chief of Army Staff General Syed Asim Munir.

“The meeting afforded an opportunity for in-depth discussions on matters of mutual interest, regional security, military training, and measures to further augment bilateral defence cooperation,” according to a readout from Inter-Services Public Relations on the meeting between COAS Munir and Gen Li Qiaoming at the General Headquarters.