Tajik Defense Minister Sherali Mirzo has highly appraised combat readiness of the Khorog garrison, Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region (GBAO).

Wednesday (August 5) morning, the minister gave commemorative gifts to servicemen who participated in a military exercise that was conducted in the region from August 2 through August 4, Faridoun Mahmadalizoda, a spokesman for the Ministry of Defense, told Asia-Plus in an interview. 

Sherali Mirzo reportedly called on commanders of military units to constantly work to improve combat readiness of personnel.  

A large scale military exercise involved armored vehicles, combat helicopters and 10,000 people, including servicemen of Tajik Armed Forces, reservists, local police and civilian support services.  The exercise was reportedly conducted on behalf of the president.  

The exercise scenario is reportedly based on a group of armed terrorists breaking the border.

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

Defense Minister Sherali Mirzo was in overall command of the ongoing war game, according to Mahmadalizoda.