DUSHANBE, March 16, 2016, Asia-Plus -- Two-day military exercise for reservists from Khatlon province was launched at the Sumbula training ground today, according to the Ministry of Defense (MoD).

An official source at a MoD says the exercise involves reservists, local police, and civilian support services.

According to him, more than 12,000 reserve officers, 18,000 reserve soldiers, 13,000 representatives of law enforcement agencies from 25 cities and districts of Khatlon are participating in the exercise, which comes at a time of heightened tension around the Tajik-Afghan border. 

The purpose of the exercise is to rehearse organization of territorial defense, mobilization of reservists as well as coordination and interaction in anti-terror missions.