The ongoing "Peace Mission 2007" anti-terror drill, sponsored by the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), held a decision-making exercise in its 2nd phase in a military base near the Russian Ural Mountains city on Sunday. 

After receiving information about battle field situation and instructions from the superior command, which consists of commanders from six SCO members, the joint battle command held a meeting to discuss views and suggestions from involved parties and forged a formal decision.

The superior command approved the decision and then the battle command issued orders to the troops, which came from China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, to carried out counter-terrorism actions, military sources said when introducing the practice.

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, sources with the superior command said.

In the first phase of the drill, chiefs of staff of the six military forces held strategic negotiations and gave orders in Urumqi, capital of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region on Aug. 9.

About 6,500 troops and 80 aircraft took part in the excise, which will last till Aug. 17 in the Chebarkul range near Chelyabinsk.

(Xinhua News Agency August 13, 2007)