Afghan border troops complete OSCE-supported search and rescue training course in Tajikistan

Eighteen Afghan border police officers completed a two-week training course on search and rescue on 26 April 2017. The course was organized by the OSCE Office in Tajikistan.

Afghan officers from different border detachments attended the training course in the mountainous area of Khoja Obigarm, some 50 kilometres north of Dushanbe and more than 2,000 metres above sea level.

During the training course, participants enhanced their knowledge on the development and planning of a search and rescue operation and the rapid assessment of avalanche conditions. They also learned about border surveillance and patrolling mountainous areas in winter conditions and how to use winter equipment for patrolling.  

“The OSCE is continuing to improve the professionalism and skills of Afghan border police officers under the Patrol Programming and Leadership Project by focusing on providing high-quality training courses,” said Vyacheslav Abramets, Border Management Adviser at the OSCE Office’s Politico-Military Department.

The course was conducted as part of the third phase of the Patrol Programming and Leadership Project, which aims at enhancing the capacities of Tajik and Afghan border staff in detecting and intercepting illegal cross-border movements.