The last rehearsal of the active phase of "Peace Mission 2007" anti-terror drill, sponsored by the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), was conducted successfully on Monday.

 

Russian battleplans attend the 2nd phase of "Peace Mission 2007" anti-terror drill in the Chebarkul range near Chelyabinsk of Russia, August 13, 2007. The 2nd phase exercise, started from Aug. 11, will last till 17 and cover the whole range of anti-terrorism battles, such as to make strategic determination, institute battle plan, organize operational preparation and conduct anti-terror activities.

 

More than 4,000 servicemen from five SCO states -- China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia and Tajikistan -- participated in the general rehearsal, which lasted two hours in a military base near the Russian Ural Mountains city Chelyabinsk.

 

"Officials that were at the observation site unanimously assessed the exercise -- the training session passed quite satisfactorily. All tactical tasks have been fulfilled at a ratherhigh level," head of the maneuvers from the Russian side Colonel-General Vladimir Moltenskoi said. "So we consider the training to be quite successful," he said.

 

Deputy commander of the exercise from the Chinese side, Major-General Qian Lihua said that the troops of SCO states acted successfully, which accumulated experience for the active phase.

 

About 6,500 troops and 80 aircraft were expected to take part in the exercise, which will last till Aug. 17 in the Chebarkul range near Chelyabinsk.

 

Commanders discuss the tactic during the 2nd phase of "Peace Mission 2007" anti-terror drill in the Chebarkul range near Chelyabinsk of Russia, August 13, 2007. The 2nd phase exercise, started from Aug. 11, will last till 17 and cover the whole range of anti-terrorism battles, such as to make strategic determination, institute battle plan, organize operational preparation and conduct anti-terror activities.

 

Soldiers attack "terrorists" during the 2nd phase of "Peace Mission 2007" anti-terror drill in the Chebarkul range near Chelyabinsk of Russia, August 13, 2007. The 2nd phase exercise, started from Aug. 11, will last till 17 and cover the whole range of anti-terrorism battles, such as to make strategic determination, institute battle plan, organize operational preparation and conduct anti-terror activities.

 

(Xinhua News Agency August 14, 2007)