Russia and Tajikistan have launched ‘large-scale’ military drills near Afghan border.
The ex-Soviet allies practice defending a possible spillover of militants from Afghanistan.
“Joint groups of paratroop forces from Tajikistan and Russia are being airlifted to possible points of incursions by terrorist groups on the Tajikistan-Afghanistan border.” Faridun Makhmadalizoda, a spokesman for Tajikistan’s defense ministry said.
Around 50,000 Tajik and 2,000 Russian troops are taking part in the drills which would continue for six days and will be carried out in more than 1,000 kilometers of the 1,400 kilometers joint border.
“Drills involved about 50,000 Tajik troops and 2,000 Russian troops, including paratroopers flown in from Russia.” Faridun added.
“The maneuvers involve around 1,000 armored vehicles, artillery, and 32 combat and transport aircraft.”
Meanwhile, Russia’s defense said that: “The personnel of the Russian and Tajik armies will practice cohesion, common approaches for neutralizing illegal armed formations, destroying bases, depots and other facilities of a simulated enemy,” adding that, “During the drills, the army aviation will provide reconnaissance and cover for the routes of military hardware convoys, support motor rifle units and special forces, airdrop a tactical paratrooper task force in hard-to-access mountainous terrain and practice the evacuation of wounded personnel.”
The drills come as the ex-Soviet allies worry incursion of armed groups from the Afghan side of the border.
About 10 days before a Tajik border guard and a gunman were killed in a border area. Tajik authorities claimed that the gunman had crossed border into Tajikistan along with his group from Afghanistan.http://www.khaama.com/russia-tajikistan-joint-military-drills-begin-near-afghan-border-4745
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