Exactly 30 years ago, in 1995, 17 servicemen of the Internal Troops lost their lives in a fierce battle while on border duty along the Tajik-Afghan frontier. To honor their memory, Kazakhstan annually marks April 7 as the Day of Courage. This year, a solemn flower-laying ceremony was held at the “Er Esimi – El Esinde” monument on the Alley of Courage in Astana in tribute to the Kazbat heroes.

The event was attended by officials from the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the National Guard Command, local government representatives, and veterans of military and local conflicts. Attendees paid their respects and laid flowers at the memorial. The ceremony began with a moment of silence in honor of the fallen soldiers.

— By Presidential decree, five servicemen were posthumously awarded the Order “Aibyn” II Class and twelve others received the medal “For Combat Merit” for their courage and selflessness in the line of duty. We hold sacred the memory of those who fulfilled their military duty to the end. They will forever be remembered as heroes who defended our country’s borders at the cost of their lives, — stated Colonel Nurbay Bektursynov, Chief of the Main Directorate for Educational and Socio-Legal Work.

During the ceremony, Zhannat-apa, the mother of the fallen hero Yerbol Bekebayev, shared heartfelt memories of her son. Among the seventeen heroes, she said, was her Yerbol—a simple young man with dreams and a loving heart. In the hour of trial, he became a warrior, a defender of his homeland. That is how she and his loved ones, as well as the nation, will always remember him. She believes their sacrifice stands as an enduring example of bravery and dedication for future generations.

Major General Kaliakpar Tokushev, Chairman of the National Guard Veterans’ Council, also addressed the gathering and recounted the valor of the Kazakh soldiers.

As part of the event, a wreath was laid at the “Er Esimi – El Esinde” monument, and servicemen from the National Guard and Border Guard garrisons in the capital marched in a ceremonial parade. The participants then visited the Patriotic Center of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Kazakhstan and viewed a documentary film produced by the National Guard’s videostudio, dedicated to the spirit of the 7th Company fighters.

It’s worth noting that on this significant day for the National Guard, solemn rallies were also held in all military units of the internal security forces across the country.

Press Service of the National Guard Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan

Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/kvv/press/news/details/971222?lang=kk