DUSHANBE, June 3, 2015, Asia-Plus – By interior minister’s order Colonel Khusrav Khorkash Bobozoda, who had previously served as the first deputy commander of the Internal Troops of Tajikistan, replacing Khurshed Izatullo Mahmadzoda.
We will recall that Colonel Khurshed Izatullo Mahmadzoda (Khurshed Mahmadshoyev) was appointed commander of the Interior Ministry OMON (special police unit), replacing Colonel Gulmurod Halimov.
Former special police unit commander Halimov who has been missing since late April reappeared on the Internet, claiming that he has joined Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) militants in protest at official restrictions on religious observance back home. In a video posted on YouTube on May 27, Halimov says that Tajik labor migrants “must stop serving infidels” in Russia and join ISIL in Syria and Iraq in order to establish Shari”a law in other countries, including Tajikistan.
Colonel Khusrav Khorkash Bobozoda, 40, has served in organs of internal affairs since September 1, 1993.
Established on April 10, 1992, the Internal Troops are the internal security force of Tajikistan under the Ministry of Interior. They act as the reserve of the Military of Tajikistan, and are in charge of homeland defense. They are used to support and reinforce the police, deal with large-scale riots, internal armed conflicts, and safeguarding of highly-important facilities in the country. The internal troops have participated in all special operations such as Molniya (Lightning), Kuknor (Poppy), etc.
