DUSHANBE, March 11, 2015, Asia-Plus – A large-scale military exercise, involving all military units of the Ministry of Defense (MoD), deployed in Khatlon province and reservists from all 25 districts of Khatlon, began last night.

“The exercise that involves more than 30,000 soldiers and officers of the national army and reservists from all cities and districts of the south of the country as well as more than 100 armored carriers, tanks and combat aircraft as well as vehicles of many government agencies located in the province will last until March 14,” Faridoun Mahmadaliyev, a spokesman for a MoD, told Asia-Plus in an interview.

According to him, the purpose of the exercise being conducted in Khatlon is to rehearse organization of a territorial defense and mobilization of reserve officers and soldiers.

“The exercise scenario is based on armed formations of international terrorist organizations violating the Afghan-Tajik border and crossing into Tajik territory,” said Mahmadaliyev.  “The exercise participants are rehearsing coordination and interaction in combat missions to annihilate armed groups of international terrorists penetrating into our country.”

Tajik Defense Minister, Lieutenant-General Sherali Mirzo, is in overall command of the ongoing war game, said the MOD spokesman.