ISLAMABAD: Despite a thaw in bilateral relations, Pakistan will participate in counterterrorism exercises sponsored by India under the auspices of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in October, according to a media report on Saturday.

The Express Tribune daily said that while Pakistani and Indian military contingents have participated in counterterrorism drills jointly, this will be the first time Pakistan will attend such training in India.

According to the report, Pakistan will participate in the international counterterrorism exercise under the SCO's Regional Anti-Terrorism Structure (RATS) scheduled for October of this year. Asim Iftikhar, a spokesman for the Pakistani Foreign Office, made the announcement on Friday at the weekly briefing.

"The official confirmed that exercises would fall under the purview of the SCO RATS (Regional Anti-Terrorism Structure), adding that India was in charge this year. Pakistan will take part in the exercises because it is a member and they will be held in India's Mahesar in October, he said.

"At what level, I believe we will let you know when we get there, "said the FO official.

Along with India, the participating nations at the exercise in Manesar, Haryana, will be China, Pakistan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.

The nine-member regional organisation with its headquarters in Beijing includes both India and Pakistan under the SCO name.

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