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Russian-Indian exercises open at Mahajan fire range

At least 250 servicemen from every country are involved in the maneuvers

MOSCOW, October 21 (Itar-Tass) - The Russian-Indian exercises, Indra 2013, have been opened at the Mahajan field firing range, spokesman to the Eastern Military District, Lieutenant-Colonel Alexander Gordeyev told Itar-Tass.

“The opening ceremony involved Russia’s deputy chief of the Eastern Military District troops, Lieutenant-General Vladimir Tsilko and Indian servicemen. The Russian and Indian hymns have been performed. The flags of both countries and other participants in the maneuvers have been hoisted,” Gordeyev said.

Upon completion of the ceremony Russian and Indian servicemen marched. The ceremony involved about 500 servicemen of the combined force, the spokesman said.

The Indra exercises are being held in compliance with the Russian Defense Ministry’s plan on military cooperation. At least 250 servicemen from every country are involved in the maneuvers.

The first stage of the Indra-2013 exercises started on October 19. Two military transport aircraft of Russia’s Air Force arrived at the Suratgarh air base on Sunday, October 20. The aircraft carry servicemen of the 11th separate Air Assault Brigade (AAB) (the brigade is deployed in Ulan-Ude, Buryatia), a military source said.

“Totally about 500 people and over 30 units of equipment - the T-72 tanks and armored infantry carriers will take part in the first stage of the maneuvers,” the source said.

The purpose of the exercises is “to train joint actions to search for, persecuting and neutralizing illegal armed formations”, the source said.

The Russian-Indian exercises Indra 2013 are held on the rotation basis since 2003.

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