Taliban Threats Prompt 201st Division Command To Take Additional Security Measures

Taliban threats to use weapons of mass destruction have prompted the command of the Russian 201st motor-rifle division in Tajikistan to take additional security measures. This statement was made on Tuesday by Lieutenant-General Viktor Kholstov, the Commander of the Russian Radiation, Chemical and Biological Protection Force (RCBP). According to him, "relevant instructions have been given and additional security measures have been taken." At the same time, General Kholstov said that no additional RCBP units had been assigned to the 201st division. "We believe there is no such need right now," he said. Viktor Kholstov said that during the second Chechen campaign militants have repeatedly threatened to use biological weapons against federal units. "This threat still exists," the General said stressing that the RCBP units were "ready to react to any possible use of any weapons of mass destruction, both chemical and biological."