Titled `Ekuverin' or `Lightning Strike', the platoon-level exercise which commenced on October 18, would help in sharing expertise in counter insurgency and counter terrorism operations, a press release said here today.

Sixteen Madras batallions and two paras (comprising one officer and six other ranks) were participating in the exercise from the Indian side while five officers and 38 other ranks were participating from Maldives National Defence Force, the release said.

Maldivian Defence Minister Ameen Faisal, who arrived here today will witness the conclusion of the exercsie.

GOC-in-C Southern Command Lt. General Pradeep Khanna and other senior officers will also be present on the occasion, it said.

Defence Minister A K Antony, who visited the Maldives a couple of months ago, had held discussions with top leadership of Maldives, including President Mohammed Nasheed, to step up the robust relations that already exists between the countries.

Antony had said that India would extend all assistance to Maldives based on latter's requests.