DUSHANBE, June 18, Asia-Plus  - The Ministry of Defense (MoD) has denied reports released by some media that planned military exercise is allegedly being conducted in Gorno Badakhshan as “unfounded.”

Speaking in an interview with Asia-Plus, an official with a MoD said that no drills are planned to be conducted at the Tem training ground in Gorno Badakhshan and no troops have been sent to the region. 

“Just recruits of the ministry’s military units stationed in the region have been brought together at the Tem training ground to take mountain training,” Captain Faridoun Mahmadaliyev, a spokesman with the MoD, said.   It is annual training that is conducted in accordance with single plan which is approved by the minister in the beginning of each year, according to him. 

We will recall that some 300 people gathered near the building of the GBAO regional government in Khorog today morning, at around 9:00 a.m.  According to the rally organizers,  people have allegedly demonstrated against bringing additional troops into region.  The rally lasted till 1:30 p.m. and people then dispersed.