Indo-Seychelles Joint Training 'Ex Lamitye' concludes

Indo-Seychelles Joint Training 'Ex Lamitye' concludes

Exercise ‘Lamitye – 2016’, seventh in the series of Indo-Seychelles Joint Training Exercises, was conducted from 15 to 28 February 2016 at Victoria, Mahe Island, Seychelles with an aim to improve interoperability between both Armies in jointly fighting Counter Insurgency / Counter Terrorism. The Indian contingent comprised of an infantry platoon and representatives from the Special Forces.

 The Seychelles People’s Defence Forces (SPDF) was represented by the Tazar (Special Forces Unit) and Seychelles Infantry. A total of 52 personnel from the SPDF took part in the exercise, including 20 Tazar (Special Forces Unit) personnel. ‘Exercise Lamitye’ meaning ‘Friendship in Creole’ has been a bridge between the Armed Forces of India and SPDF since 2001. 

Focused on interoperability in drills pertaining to Counter Insurgency & Counter Terrorism, a number of activities and exercises were conducted during the joint training.

‘Exercise Sea Hunt’, was an apt culmination , wherein Cordon & Search operations were enmeshed with hostage rescue operations in an Anti-Piracy setting at Cape Ternay, with realistic orchestration of events extending over two days in an urban insurgency environment.

Brigadier Leopold Payet, Chief of Seychelles Defence Forces, H.E. Mr. Sanjay Panda, High Commissioner of India to Seychelles, Lieutenant Colonel Gudur, Military Attache, High Commission of India to Seychelles and Observer Delegation from Indian Army consisting of senior officers were present during the closing ceremony held on 29 February 2016. 

Senior military Commanders after a detailed briefing and interaction with troops expressed their satisfaction on the level of synergy and interoperability achieved between the two contingents.

The officers and soldiers of SPDF were highly appreciative of the high standards of training and operational capability of the Indian Army. The joint training was an ideal platform for fostering jointmanship and interoperability between the defence forces of both the countries.