DUSHANBE, March 15, 2016, Asia-Plus – A joint military exercise for Tajik and Russian armed forces began at the Halqayor training ground in Khatlon province today, Faridoun Mahmadalizdoa, a spokesman for the Ministry of Defense of Tajikistan (MoD), told Asia-Plus in an interview.
According to him, the exercise scenario is based on surrounding terrorist groups that penetrated into Tajikistan from Afghanistan.
“The exercise covers more than 1000 kilometers of Tajikistan’s common border with Afghanistan,” Mahmadalizoda said.
A total length of Tajikistan’s common border with Afghanistan is more than 1,400 kilometers.
Today, the exercise is being conducted at the Halqayor training ground and on March 16 it will continue at the Mumirak training ground. On March 17, the exercise will be conducted at the Lohour training ground and on March 18-20, the exercise will continue at the Harbmaydon training ground.
The purpose of the exercise, which reportedly involves 950 armored fighting vehicles and artillery as well as 32 combat and military transport aircraft, is to rehearse coordination and interaction in combat missions in mountains.
Meanwhile, an exercise for reservists, local police, and civilian support services of Khatlon province will be conducted at the Sumbula training ground from March 16-17.
The purpose of the exercises at the Sumbula training ground is to rehearse organization of the territorial defense, mobilization of reservists, as well as coordination and interaction in anti-terror missions, Mahmadalizoda said.
