This year marks the 25th anniversary of the withdrawal of the Separate Consolidated Rifle Battalion of the Republic of Kazakhstan from the Tajik-Afghan border. On the occasion of this commemorative date, a solemn ceremony was held at the “Yerlik” Park in the capital. Participants honored the memory of servicemen who were killed in the line of duty while serving in the battalion with a minute of silence.

The ceremony was attended by veterans, active-duty servicemen, and members of the public. Flowers were laid at the monument to Kazakhstani soldiers who carried out missions on the Tajik-Afghan border.

Welcoming remarks were delivered by Deputy Director of the Border Service, Major General Toleuzhan Dzhunusov, and Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the National Guard of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan for Educational and Social-Legal Affairs, Major General Kairat Umbetov. They emphasized that Kazakhstani servicemen fulfilled their military duty with honor.

— This day is a symbol of courage, loyalty to the Motherland, and devotion to military duty demonstrated by the battalion. On behalf of the Main Command of the National Guard of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan, I congratulate the battalion’s veterans on this historic date, — Major General Kairat Umbetov noted.

The commemorative event continued with a concert program organized at the National Military-Patriotic Center. Soloists of the song and dance ensembles of the Ministry of Defense, the National Guard, and the Border Service performed patriotic compositions.

The feat of the Kazakhstani servicemen who served on the Tajik-Afghan border will forever remain in the memory of the people.

It should be recalled that 25 years ago Kazakhstani servicemen completed their combat missions on the Tajik-Afghan border and returned to their homeland. From 1993 to 2001, the Separate Consolidated Rifle Battalion of the Republic of Kazakhstan guarded the state border along the Pyanj River. Tragically, 17 servicemen — today’s guardsmen who previously served in the Internal Troops — heroically lost their lives while carrying out their missions.

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/1158903?lang=kk