Enhanced security measures have been implemented in Central Asia’s nations following the March 22 terrorist attack on the Crocus City Hall concert venue near Moscow. Additional security measures were reportedly taken in public places.
This is especially true for Tajikistan, where terrorist attacks were also planned.
Tajikistan
Some malls in Dushanbe have reportedly reviewed their security measures. Thus, Dushanbe Mall has decided to increase the number of guards and surveillance cameras as well as to use metal detectors.
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Asia-Plus has also contacted the Interior Ministry press center about this issue. An official source with the press center said “that there is no strengthening of security in the capital.
“The enhanced regime was introduced in Dushanbe only during the celebration of Navrouz (from March 21 to March 24). During these days, police in Dushanbe were put on alert,” the source said, adding that after the end of the festival, all security measures were lifted.
Meanwhile, representatives of the Dushanbe Administration and chief of Dushanbe Police, Barotali Homidzoda, on March 30 held a meeting with 40 merchants running shops at Dushanbe’s Farovon bazaar.
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The issue related to preventing the involvement of young people in extremist groups, providing security and the rule of law were discussed at the meeting. Besides, a demand was made to those present ensure proper education of the younger generation.
Similar meetings have been held with residents of Juibodom, Konstitutsiya, Chortuti Bolo and Arbobkhotoun neighborhood units in Dushanbe’s Sino district.
Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev on March 29 ordered to tighten measures to provide public order and prevent possible terrorist attacks, according to the Uzbek president’s official website.
The Interior Ministry and National Guards have been ordered to tighten control over public order and take adequate measures aimed at preventing possible terrorist attacks and other emergency events in public places.
ИЗОБРАЖЕНИЕ Photo / zamina.ru
It was reportedly noted that there is now an increase in new threats and risks to public safety.
Mirziyoyev also instructed to develop a draft law providing for cooperation between law enforcement agencies, entrepreneurial enterprises and civil society organization on providing security.
Kazakhstan
A meeting of Kazakhstan’a Security Council that took place another day after the Crocus City Hall terrorist attack discussed plans of activities of the law enforcement agencies and local authorities, according to the Kazakh president’s press service, Akorda.
Kazakh MP Aidos Sarym, for his part, expressed concern about issues related to providing security in concert halls and called for toughening control.
He, particular, proposed to toughen government control over construction of cultural and sports facilities and provide training of personnel and conducting emergency training.
Kyrgyzstan
The Interior Ministry of Kyrgyzstan has called on owner and administrators of malls, entertainment centers and representatives of security companies to jointly take measures to provide security of citizens in public places.
This issue was reportedly discussed at a meeting of the Deputy Interior Minister, Nourbek Abdiyev, with representatives of relevant agencies. The meeting participants discussed measures to prevent crimes using weapons in public places.
ИЗОБРАЖЕНИЕ Nourbek Abdiyev; photo / mvd.gov.kg
It was noted the importance of effectively countering terrorist activities that tightening security measures and introducing new technologies, including the video surveillance and alarm system.
Turkmenistan
Turkmen News reports that in Mary region, people are checked for adherence to radical Islam. In particular, in Shatlyk settlement, near the House of Culture next to the mosque, they stopped men with beards and checked their phones. Three young people were detained by police officers right in the mosque.
The detainees were reportedly taken to the police station where their phones were checked. Finding nothing suspicious, police officers released them.
Recall the Islamic State (IS) terrorist group carried out a terrorist attack on the Crocus City Hall music venue in Krasnogorsk, Moscow Oblast on March 22, 2024. Investigators said the attack had killed 144 people (including those who died later in hospital), and more than 551 concertgoers were injured by gunshot wounds and "poisoning" related to the fire.
The Islamic State – Khorasan Province (IS–K), a regional affiliate of the IS group, claimed responsibility in a statement through the IS-affiliated Amaq news agency shortly after the attack. Amaq also published a video filmed by one of the attackers. It showed the attackers shooting victims and slitting the throat of a victim, while the filming attacker was reciting the takbir, praising God and speaking against infidels.
Russian President Vladimir Putin called the attack a “barbaric terrorist act” and said that the gunmen had been arrested. He also declared March 24, 2024 to be a national day of mourning, and sought to link assailants to Ukraine. Russia's Foreign Ministry called the incident a terrorist attack. It was the deadliest terrorist attack in Russia since the Beslan school siege in 2004. Investigators reportedly detained 12 people in relation to the attack, including four suspects, who were charged with terrorism on 24 March.
IS-K is active in South Asia and Central Asia. IS-K has been active in Afghanistan and its area of operations includes Pakistan, Tajikistan and India where they claimed attacks, as well as Sri Lanka, the Maldives, Bangladesh and China where individuals have pledged allegiance to it. The IS-K and Taliban consider each other enemies.
The group was created in January 2015 by disaffected Taliban in eastern Afghanistan, although its membership includes individuals from various countries notably Pakistan, Bangladesh, India and Myanmar. Its initial leaders, Hafiz Saeed Khan and Abdul Rauf Aliza, were killed by US forces in July 2016 and February 2015, respectively. Subsequent leaders have also been killed; its leader Abdullah Orokzai was captured in April 2020 by Afghanistan's intelligence service.
