As part of the upcoming joint tactical exercise, tanks of the Russian military base deployed in Tajikistan have completed a 200-kilometer march from the Lohour training ground, located some 20 kilometers of Dushanbe, to the Harbmaidon military field at the Tajik-Afghan border in the southern province of Khatlon.
The press center of the Russian Central Military District says that during the march, crews of T-72 tanks have rehearsed combat escort of convoys, overcoming the hypothetically contaminated areas, and repelling an attack by subversion and reconnaissance groups and strikes by aviation of hypothetical enemy.
Recall, Tajikistan, Russia and Uzbekistan will hold joint military exercise near the Tajik-Afghan border in early August amid increasing security concerns in Central Asian nations over Taliban offensives against Afghan government troops in northern Afghanistan.
The exercise will be launched on August 2 and its active phase drills will be held at the Harbmaidon military field from August 5-10.
The commander of Russia's Central Military District, Alexander Lapin, told reporters on July 19 that during the exercise they will polish joint military efforts against illegal armed formations that intervene into the territory of an ally country.
The Russian Central Military District's press center, personnel from Russia's military base in Tajikistan, mountainous vehicular troops, tank and artillery units, as well as the district's special units will take part in the upcoming exercise.
A source within the Tajik power-wielding bloc told Asia-Plus on July 19 that a ten-day military exercise that will be conducted from August 1 to August 10 will take place at the Harbmaidon training ground in the Tajik southern province of Khatlon will involve special forces, armored vehicles, air-defense units and attack aircraft of the three countries.
The exercise scenario is reportedly based on a group of terrorists penetrating into Tajikistan. The military personnel of the three countries will rehearse coordination and interaction in combat missions in mountains and deserts to annihilate terrorist groups.
It will be the first full-fledged joint military exercise of Tajikistan, Russia and Uzbekistan, the source added.
The Taliban militants now control practically the entire Afghanistan’s common border with Tajikistan. In each hamlet along the Panj River, the militant group has hoisted the white flag that has become their identifying standard.
As the Taliban’s advances appeared to be picking up momentum in early July, official appealed to the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) for help securing the border.
At a meeting of national security officials convened on July 5, Tajik President Emomali Rahmon ordered the Defense Ministry to mobilize 20,000 servicemen to help bolster the border with Afghanistan.
