Tajikistan leads regional security efforts as Central Asian specialists complete advanced Explosive Ordnance Disposal training

On 6 February 2026, the Regional Explosive Hazards Training Centre (REHTC) of the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Tajikistan, in partnership with the OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe (POiD), concluded a four-week regional training course on Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) and Tactical Combat Casualty Care.

The course trained 18 mine action professionals from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, highlighting Tajikistan’s role as a regional platform for demining expertise. Participants also included specialists from Fondation suisse de déminage (FSD), Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA), and the OSCE. The curriculum provided a sophisticated blend of theoretical and practical training designed specifically for high-risk environments. Participants were trained on EOD reconnaissance, ordnance movement, demolition range management, and full mission profiles, and thereby strengthened their capacity to manage complex explosive threats. Key competencies included determining safe transport protocols for specific ordnance, identifying various fuse types, and conducting simultaneous disposal operations in accordance with International Mine Action Standards (IMAS).

The importance of this training was echoed by participants such as Azima Davlatkhojaeva, Information Management Officer at NPA, who highlighted the personal and professional growth fostered by the programme: 

“The EOD Level 2 course was a meaningful and empowering experience for me. The training was challenging, but it helped me build confidence and improve my technical skills and practical experience in explosive ordnance disposal. As one of the female participants, I was reminded that women can do this work just as well and play an important role in Mine Action. On a personal level, this course showed me how much I am capable of. I felt proud to represent women in this field.”

Alongside the technical EOD training, the United States-led Tactical Combat Casualty Care (Tier 2) training component equipped participants with essential combat lifesaver skills. Through realistic simulations, participants learned how to control severe bleeding, manage airways, and stabilize circulation. This training enabled EOD teams to deliver immediate, life-saving care after injury, even in remote and hazardous environments.

The training forms part of the OSCE POiD’s Integrated Co-operation on Explosive Hazards (ICExH) programme, which supports regional stability by strengthening national capacities. In 2025 alone, ICExH strengthened the capacity of 87 personnel (including seven women) across Central Asia through six dedicated Tajikistan-led EOD courses.  

By harmonizing technical and medical response capabilities across Central Asian countries and promoting inclusive professional development, the ICExH programme is fostering sustainable capacity to mitigate explosive threats in the region. This regional co-operation supports safe humanitarian mine action, helps protect civilian lives and facilitates the return of land for productive economic use in accordance with international standards.