Emomali Rahmon on Wednesday inaugurated a tank training ground and four new military outposts along Tajikistan’s border with Afghanistan, as Dushanbe steps up efforts to strengthen border security.
Rahmon visited the Ministry of Defence on December 24 and formally opened the facilities via a video link, according to a statement posted on the website of the Tajik presidency.
The statement said the tank training ground in the Harb Maidon area has been equipped with modern educational infrastructure to train military specialists to a high professional standard. Rahmon instructed the Ministry of Defence and other security agencies to make full use of the new facilities to improve technical training.
Tajik authorities say border security efforts have intensified over the past two to three years. During that period, around 80 new border outposts equipped with military hardware have been constructed.
The move comes amid a series of attacks that Tajik officials say originated from Afghan territory. On Thursday, December 25, Tajikistan’s State Committee for National Security reported an armed clash with militants who had crossed the border from Afghanistan, resulting in the deaths of three suspected militants and two Tajik border guards.
Earlier this month, the press office of the Tajik presidency said two separate attacks originating from Afghanistan killed five people and wounded five others. Following those incidents, Rahmon ordered security institutions to assess the situation and propose additional measures to reinforce border defences.
Tajikistan was initially among the most vocal regional critics of the Taliban following their return to power in Kabul. In recent months, however, Dushanbe has expanded contacts with Afghan authorities and moved cautiously towards engagement while continuing to prioritise border security.
