Law enforcement agencies and special services of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member states will start antiterrorism drills in southern Russia's Saratov Region on Monday, the regional governor's press service reported.
"In line with the decision of the National Antiterrorism Committee, an international operational and strategic exercise of SCO member states, with participation of Russian, Kyrgyz and Kazakh law enforcement agencies and special services, will be held in the Saratov Region on August 16-28," the press service said.
The exercises will be held in two stages: the first stage on August 16-23, and the second on August 25-28.
"During the first stage of drills, joint actions by Russian, Kyrgyz and Kazakh law enforcement agencies and special services to conduct coordinated operational and investigative activities against a hypothetical terrorist group are to be practiced," the press service said.
"At the second stage, a counter terrorism operation is to be conducted on a mass facility in Saratov," it said.
The SCO is a security organization consisting of China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. India, Iran, Mongolia and Pakistan have observer status.
NIZHNY NOVGOROD, August 16 (RIA Novosti)
