His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the Supreme Commander of the Bahrain Armed Forces, deputised His Highness General Shaikh Mohammed bin Isa Al Khalifa, Commander of the National Guard, to attend the concluding ceremony of the joint military exercise “Al Badr 9” between the National Guard and the Pakistan Army on his behalf.
The event coincided with the 28th anniversary of the National Guard’s establishment and Bahrain’s celebrations of the Silver Jubilee of HM the King’s Accession to the Throne, Bahrain News Agency (BNA) reported.
Field Marshal Shaikh Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, Commander-in-Chief of the Bahrain Defence Force (BDF); General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, Minister of Interior; and Lieutenant General Rahat Naseem Ahmed Khan, Commander of the Pakistan Army’s XII Corps, were present.
His Highness Lieutenant-Colonel Shaikh Salman bin Mohammed bin Isa Al Khalifa, Head of the Special Operations Unit, delivered a speech congratulating the National Guard on its 28th anniversary and highlighting its achievements under HM the King’s leadership and the guidance of General HH Shaikh Mohammed bin Isa.
HH Lt. Colonel Shaikh Salman bin Mohammed further emphasised that the National Guard, under the leadership of HM the King, the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, has developed across all its units and battalions in a record timeframe.
Lastly, he expressed appreciation to the Pakistan Army for their collaboration in the “Al Badr 9” exercise alongside National Guard personnel and to the Royal Bahraini Air Force (RBAF) for their role in providing air support during the exercise stages.
The Pakistan Army Battalion Commander provided an overview of the “Al Badr 9” exercise, which focused on counterterrorism strategies and implementing various security scenarios, facilitating military expertise-sharing between the two forces.
The event also featured a parachute display by free-fall teams from the National Guard and the Pakistan Army.
Following the exercise, HH General Shaikh Mohammed bin Isa awarded the Medal of Military Merit, first and second classes, to National Guard Officers, based on a royal order.
HH General Shaikh Mohammed bin Isa also presented the first place cup in the third National Guard Commander Shooting Competition to HH Lt. Colonel Shaikh Salman bin Mohammed.
HH General Shaikh Mohammed bin Isa congratulated HM the King, the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, HRH Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, and all National Guard personnel on the 28th anniversary of the National Guard’s establishment.
He commended the National Guard’s role in safeguarding Bahrain’s achievements and ensuring its citizens' safety under HM the King’s leadership. He further noted that the “Al Badr” series of counterterrorism exercises demonstrates advanced military collaboration and expertise-sharing with the Pakistan Army, reflecting a commitment to bolstering operational readiness and joint capabilities.
The event concluded with an inspection of the vehicles and equipment used during the exercise and a group photo of the participants.
Earlier, General Shaikh Mohammed bin Isa Al Khalifa received Lieutenant General Rahat Naseem Ahmed Khan, Commander of Pakistan Army’s XII Corps, to strengthen military cooperation between Bahrain and Pakistan.
The meeting reviewed areas of collaboration between the Bahrain National Guard and the Pakistan Armed Forces, particularly in training and military expertise exchange, aimed at enhancing both sides' defense capabilities and addressing shared challenges.
General HH Shaikh Mohammed bin Isa commended the historic ties between Bahrain and Pakistan and the role of the Pakistan Armed Forces in supporting regional security and stability. He emphasized the importance of bolstering military cooperation, reflecting the depth of the relations between the two countries.
On his part, Lt. General Rahat Naseem commended the Bahrain National Guard’s high proficiency and its role in maintaining Bahrain’s security and stability.
