Turkmenistan to reinforce military presence on border with Afghanistan - report

AKIPRESS.COM - President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov held extended meeting of the Security Council, where the President expressed concerns about growth of crime rate in the country and qualifications of workers of defense and security agencies, The Chronicles of Turkmenistan reported.
Situation in neighboring Afghanistan was discussed, possible strengthening of military presence on the border with Afghanistan was considered.
The following possible options were considered: deployment of missile launchers in Mary and Lebap districts in a distance of 130 km from the border; deployment of military helicopters and fighter aircrafts at the Mary-2 military aerodrome.
The Turkmen army lacks qualified truck, tank and armored vehicle drivers. Civilian drivers under 60 years having experience of operation of trucks, fuel trucks, sanitary vehicles may be mobilized.
Reinforcement of military units on the border with Iran was suggested.
Taliban fighters earlier captured Andkhoy district in Afghanistan bordering with Turkmenistan, where the Aqina border crossing point lies.