Russia, India joint anti-terrorism drills begin

Moscow: Russia and India will  on Tuesday hold an official opening of joint INDRA-2012 anti-terrorism military exercises in the Siberian republic of Buryatia, a spokesperson for Russia's Eastern Military District said.[caption id="attachment_408184" align="alignleft" width="380"] File pic of Vladimir Putin with Manmohan Singh in Moscow. Agencies[/caption]Both countries have conducted five INDRA-series joint ground and naval exercises since 2003. The last such exercise was held in India in October 2010."An official opening of the INDRA-2012 will be held on August 7 at the Burduny training range," said Lt Col Igor Muginov.Some 500 servicemen— about 250 on each side— will take part in the drills, which will be conducted using some 50 Russian combat vehicles.Russia will be represented by a motorised infantry and a tank companies, a mortar and a MLRS battalions, and a grenade launcher platoon.The participants of the exercises will carry out a number of firing, tactical and driving drills until Aug 12.The active phase of the exercises will begin Aug 13 and include reconnaissance, pursuit and elimination of "terrorist groups."IANS