OSCE trains Tajik and Afghan border officers to detect and interdict illegal cross-border movements

Thirteen Tajik border troops and twelve Afghan border police officers serving on the Tajik-Afghan border, graduated on 13 September 2013 from a regular Patrolling and Leadership course conducted by the OSCE Office in Tajikistan.

The five-week training course was focused on planning and conducting border surveillance missions using topographical maps, satellite imagery and other relevant tools. Students also learned patrol planning and management techniques, and enhanced their professional capabilities in reporting and analysis, border patrolling in mountain areas, alpine skills and field first aid.

"This course is part of our efforts to help enhance border security on the Tajik-Afghan border,” said Hans Peter Larsen, the Deputy Head of the OSCE Office in Tajikistan. “The OSCE remains dedicated to promoting and upgrading co-operation and capacity building of Tajik border troops and Afghan border police to help them jointly counter illegal cross-border activity."

The course is part of the Patrol Programming and Leadership Project, aimed at enhancing the capacities of Tajik and Afghan border security staff in the detection and interdiction of illegal cross-border movements and other illegal activities.