President of Russia Vladimir Putin called on CSTO member states to be ready for preventive measures to counter threats from the Islamic State in the Central Asia, TASS reported.

“The current situation arouses concern. Militants from the Islamic State terrorist group make a stab at including some provinces of Afghanistan into the so-called Islamic Caliphate,” he said. “Terrorist and extremist groups are trying to extend their activities in Central Asia,” Putin said.

He noted importance of close interaction with Afghanistan, adding that “we seek to see Afghanistan prosperous and neutral”.