16th India-US Vajra Prahar special forces exercise begins at Bakloh, Himachal Pradesh

Direct fact

On 24 February 2026, the 16th edition of the India-US Special Forces exercise Vajra Prahar began at the Special Forces Training School in Bakloh, Himachal Pradesh, and was scheduled to run until 16 March 2026.

Key specifics

• The US contingent came from the Green Berets, the US Special Forces.
• About 45 personnel from Indian Army Special Forces units participated in the drill.
• The exercise lasted three weeks, from 24 February 2026 to 16 March 2026.
• The previous edition was held in Idaho, USA, in November 2024.
• The focus was interoperability, jointness, and special operations in mountainous terrain.

Exam lens

TNPSC defence question: match Vajra Prahar with India-US Special Forces, Bakloh, Himachal Pradesh, and the 16th edition; note the 45 Indian personnel and the November 2024 Idaho edition.