DUSHANBE , April 6, Asia-Plus -- President Emomali Rahmonov has highly appraised Tajik-Russian joint military exercise that was held at the Lohur range on April 3-5.    

According to information from presidential press service, head of state who yesterday observed the final stage of the exercise expressed his desires on improvement of coordination and interaction between Tajik and Russian troops for the purpose of raising the personnel professionalism.  In this connection, he gave specific commissions to Tajik Defense Minister Sherali Khairulloyev.  

We will recall that a three-day Tajik-Russian joint military exercise directed by Colonel Aleksey Zavizyon, commander of the Russian military base in Tajikistan , ended on April 5.  President Emomali Rahmonov and Defense Minister Sherali Khairulloyev observed the final stage of the war game.  The exercise involved more than 800 Russian and Tajik troops, tanks, artillery and helicopters.

The purpose of the drill is in improving combat coordination and sharpening anti-terror skills.  The exercise scenario is based on an armed group of international terrorists infiltrating into territory of Tajikistan .  Sub-units of the Russian military base in Tajikistan and Tajik Ministry of Defense (MoD) warded off the attack.