One Saudi soldier was killed and three others wounded on Wednesday in a live-fire military exercise between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, official media said.
The report on the SPA website quoted an official source at the Saudi Ministry of Defense saying, “a non-commissioned officer has died and three other officers have sustained injuries during live-ammunition shooting related to the Saudi-Pakistani al-Samsam 5” exercises in Baha, in the kingdom’s southwest.
The condition of the wounded was reported as stable.
The pre scheduled Saudi-Pak joint exercise al-Samsam-5 is being held in Taif since March 29. At the time of commencement a Saudi commander had said that exercise has nothing to do with military operations in Yemen.
At least 292 Pakistani troops are participating in the joint exercise which is held annually. Last year, the exercise was held near Jhelum in Pakistan.
The incident occurred as Pakistan debates whether or not to join a Saudi-led coalition launching air raids on Yemen
Saudi Arabia has asked Islamabad to involve planes, ships and ground troops in the aggression on Yemen, but the Pakistani government has so far resisted.
The Saudi-led coalition on March 26 began air strikes against Yemen, killing or wounding hundreds of civilians and causing much destruction across the state.
AFP
