OSCE to train Tajik special forces guarding the Afghan border

The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) has started training Special Unit officers of Tajikistan's Border Troops of Tajikistan who serve on the border with Afghanistan. This was reported at the OSCE Program Office in Dushanbe.

“The OSCE Program Office in Dushanbe, in cooperation with the Tajik Border Troops, has launched a month-long training course. Twenty five officers of Special Units of the Border Troops of Tajikistan took part in the course titled: “Maintaining the capacity for field operations” held at the regional training center of the border troops in the city of Khorog [Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region],” the report says.

According to the Program Office, the training is funded by France and “the course will help participants improve their skills to carry out their important mission of securing the Tajik-Afghan border.” During the course, officers will be trained in navigation, including using the Google Earth pro service, reconnaissance and security operations, first aid, and mountaineering.

In December 2022, Tajikistan and the OSCE signed a memorandum of understanding during the 29th session of the OSCE Council of Foreign Ministers, which was held in Lodz, Poland. At the meeting of the council Tajik Foreign Minister Sirojiddin Muhriddin reported that his country was concerned about the stepping up of activities of foreign terrorist groups in Afghanistan and called on the international community to keep assisting Tajikistan in protecting the border.