DUSHANBE, September 23, 2011, Asia-Plus -- An active phase of an exercise, dubbed Regional Cooperation-2011, has begun in Tajikistan.

According to the Ministry of Defense (MoD) of Tajikistan, the exercise, involving representatives from defense departments and power-wielding structures of Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Afghanistan and the United States, is being conducted at the base of Tajikistan’s Military Institute.

The source says the exercise scenario is based on a devastating earthquake measuring 9.0 on the Richter scale striking the northern city of Isfara at 2:00 am.  As a result, Tajikistan is confronted with a substantial number of casualties and serious damages.  The neighboring Kyrgyz region of Batken  is also suffered seriously from the quake.  Looters and international terrorists that penetrated into the city prevent rescue teams from carrying out search and rescue operations.

Col. Ted Bale, deputy director, Exercises and Training Directorate, U.S. Central Command, told Asia-Plus today that under the situation that emerged special forces of nations participating in the exercise are sent to the disaster site and they combat looters and terrorists along with carrying out search and rescue operations.

Operational groups from defense departments of Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Afghanistan and the United States are participating in the exercise that will last until September 27, the MoD source added.