DUSHANBE, November 3, 2010, Asia-Plus  - Tajik Ministry of Defense announced the deployment of a military training ground in the Eastern part of the country.

Similar training grounds located in all regions of the republic, Fariddun Mahmadaliev, a spokesman for the Tajik Defense Ministry, told the AP. However, there are no training grounds in high mountain conditions of Rasht area, he said.

“Furthermore, the creation of a new training ground in Rasht is also connected with the formation and activity of illegal armed groups in this area. Soldiers from military bases deployed in Rasht area will be trained in conditions as close to actual combat as possible. We are mainly talking about tactical and operational exercises which will be conducted by military experts from the Ministry of Defense,” Mahmadaliev said.

He added that the construction of the training ground will be completed within two years.

Tajik Ministry of Defense also said that special operation in Rasht area is still under way. “There is no question of withdrawing troops from Rasht area at the moment. We withdraw only those soldiers who have completed their service,” he said.