KATHMANDU: Exercise Shanti Prayas III, a multinational military drill for peacekeeping, concluded at the Nepal Army's Birendra Peace Operations Training Centre at Panchkhal on Monday.

As many 1,024 army personnel from 28 countries had taken part in the 15-day exercise, hosted by Nepal Army and United States Pacific Command.

The Exercise Shanti Prayas III is the latest in a continuing series of exercises in the Asia-Pacific region designed to promote regional peace and security and enhance the peacekeeping capabilities and capacity of nations participating in the Global Peace Operations Initiative (GPOI), according to the Nepal Army.

It included field training, critical enabler and capability enhancement (2CE) and staff training events, as well as regional seminar on "Capability Development & Improving Performance in PeaceKeeping".

Defence Minister Bal Krishna Khand awards a certificate to a participant of the Exercise Shanti Prayas III. Photo: Nepal Army

Addressing a closing ceremony at the BPOTC, Minister for Defence Bal Krishna Khand expressed his hope that the exercise would be helpful to the participants in the UN peacekeeping missions, and boosting their professional knowledge as well as capacity building.

Nepal Army's chief General Rajendra Chhetri and other senior officials were present on the occasion.