Force 18, largest multinational ground forces exercise on Humanitarian Mine Action and Peace Keeping Operations started in Pune Today. The opening ceremony was presided over by the Lt. Gen. Bipin Rawat Army Commander of Southern Command. In his address he said that in this exercise participants will have opportunity to share each other's experience. More than 300 participants from 18 ASEAN Plus countries are participating in this exercise.<br/><br/> Indian Army contingent of 40 soldiers is being led by Lt .Colonel Sofia Qureshi. She is the first women officer to lead Indian contingent in such exercise. In this week long exercise participants would undergo rigorous joint training to establish and practice baseline interoperability in the field of 'Peace Keeping Operations' & dealing with 'Unexploded Ordnances'.<br/><br/>The overwhelming participation in this exercise is indicative of regional bonhomie amongst the ASEAN Plus countries. Senior Army officials from all 18 participant countries are expected to be present for concluding function of this exercise on 8th March.