Russia and Tajikistan Launch Joint Counter-Terrorism Drill

Russian and Tajik troops have begun joint counter-terrorism drills at the Kharb-Maidon mountain and desert training range in southern Tajikistan, according to the press office of Russia’s Central Military District.

The drills began with a line-up of Russian and Tajik troops on the training ground and the military bands performed the anthems of both countries, The Caspian Post reports citing foreign media. National flags were raised followed by a solemn march of the troops on a field camp. The active phase of the drills will run on April 7-11, it said, News.Az reported citing Russian TASS news agency.

"During the exercise, the military contingents from both countries will practice employing armed formations to destroy terrorist gangs and preparing units for accomplishing assigned objectives on mountainous terrain. The basic phase will involve a joint operation to eliminate illegal armed gangs and exercise command and control of troops in protecting the state border and eliminating the infiltrated armed gangs," the press office said in a statement.