Exercise Khukuri Responder 26 was the annual crisis training exercise conducted by Headquarters British Gurkhas Nepal (HQ BGN), held in March 2026 and led by Captain Santosh Gurung. The exercise focused on strengthening preparedness and coordination for crisis response in Nepal, a country highly vulnerable to natural disasters.
Nepal lies in the central Himalayan region and experiences significant seismic activity. Over the centuries, the country has endured numerous earthquakes of varying magnitudes. Most notably, the earthquake that occurred on 25 April 2015, along with subsequent aftershocks, caused widespread devastation across central Nepal. The disaster resulted in extensive loss of life, injuries, and severe damage to infrastructure and buildings, underscoring the nation’s ongoing exposure to seismic risk.
HQ BGN remains committed to continually developing and enhancing the capabilities of its staff and partners across the wider crisis response community. Through collective training and preparedness activities, BGN aims to ensure a coordinated and effective response to emergencies, enabling better support for both British and Nepali communities should the need arise.
The success of Exercise Khukuri Responder 26 was driven by strong collaboration among key stakeholders, including the Nepali Army, Nepal Police, Armed Police Force, and the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority of the Government of Nepal. Support from the British Embassy Kathmandu and The Gurkha Welfare Trust team in Nepal also played a vital role in the delivery of the exercise.
Colonel Dan Rex MVO, Commander British Gurkhas Nepal, expressed his thanks to all guest participants for their valuable contributions and commitment, which were instrumental in ensuring the success of the exercise.
