Why in the News?

Indian Army: 600 troops from the RAJPUT Regiment
US Army: 1-24 Battalion of the 11th Airborne Division, Alaska

The 2024 edition of the India-U.S. Army bilateral exercise Yudh Abhyas has begun at the Mahajan field firing ranges in Rajasthan.
- Concurrently, Phase-II of the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) largest multilateral exercise, Tarang Shakti, is underway in Jodhpur, with eight countries participating, including India.

About Exercise Yudh Abhyas

	Details
Type	Bilateral joint military exercise between India and the United States
Inception Year	2004
Frequency	Annual
Primary Objective	Enhance military cooperation and joint operational capabilities, particularly focusing on counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency operations.
Location	Held alternately in India and the USA
Earlier Edition (2023)	Held at Fort Wainwright, Alaska, focusing on cold-weather operations and high-altitude warfare
Focus	Counter-terrorism operations in semi-desert and desert terrains Urban warfare (FIBUA – Fighting in Built-Up Areas)
Participating Forces in 2024	Indian Army: 600 troops from the RAJPUT Regiment US Army: 1-24 Battalion of the 11th Airborne Division, Alaska
Tactical Drills in 2024	Joint planning sessions Joint responses to terrorist actions Combined field training exercises
Significance	Reflects the growing military partnership between India and the US Enhances interoperability and strengthens strategic defence ties

[2024] Which of the following statements about the Exercise Mitra Shakti-2023 is/ are correct?

This was a joint military exercise between India and Bangladesh.
It commenced in Aundh (Pune).
Joint response during counter-terrorism operations was a goal of this operation.
Indian Air Force was a part of this exercise.

Select the answer using the code given below:

(a) 1, 2 and 3

(b) 1 and 4

(d) 2, 3 and 4