Novikov spoke at a conference on Wednesday devoted to the activity of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation in the sphere of regional security.

“It is not ruled out that local military actions may be taken between the Taliban movement and the anti-terrorist coalition on the northern border of Afghanistan in order to prevent cargoes supplies to international forces,” he said.

In his words, supplies routes for coalition forces turned out to be blocked as a result of active military actions. At present, the coalition’s leadership began searches for alternative supplies routes to deliver military and non-military cargoes through Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, the expert said.

“Under unfavourable conditions, border facilities may be more vulnerable,” Novikov said.

In his words, the Taliban movement has started military actions in central and northern regions of Afghanistan that poses an additional threat to the international coalition.