A total of 2,566 Tajik citizens participated in combat operations in Syria, Iraq, and Afghanistan, of whom 1,455 have been confirmed dead. This was announced by Tajikistan’s Minister of Internal Affairs, Ramazon Rahimzoda, at a news conference in Dushanbe on February 13. However, he did not specify the exact years covered by these statistics.
Three terrorist attacks result in two deaths
Last year, Tajikistan recorded five terrorist attacks and assassination attempts, of which three attacks were successfully carried out. All of them occurred in the city of Kulob, resulting in the deaths of two people.
According to the minister, law enforcement agencies also uncovered and prevented two attempted terrorist attacks, though he did not disclose details of these operations. The number of individuals arrested in connection with these crimes remains unknown.
One of the attacks was reportedly an assassination attempt on Salim Saivalizoda, the chairman of the People's Democratic Party of Tajikistan (PDPT)’s organization in Kulob. The attack took place on January 5, 2024, in the village of Tudakafshi.
Authorities stated that Bakhtiyor Majidzoda and nine accomplices exploded Saivalizoda’s official vehicle outside his home, injuring him. The Minister of Internal Affairs classified the incident as a "terrorist act."
Tajikistan’s General Prosecutor's Office declared that the attackers deliberately targeted the party leader to intimidate the public. The suspects were sentenced to various prison terms ranging from eight years to life imprisonment.
More than 1,700 terrorism and extremism-related crimes
Ramazon Rahimzoda reported that in 2024, authorities uncovered 1,750 terrorism and extremism-related crimes, leading to the arrest of 365 members and supporters of various extremist organizations.
He stated, “401 individuals wanted for involvement in these organizations were apprehended, while 499 voluntarily returned. Additionally, 212 cases of terrorism and extremism financing were identified, resulting in the arrest of 112 people.”
Meanwhile, on February 14, Tajikistan’s General Prosecutor, Habibullo Vohidzoda, announced that 1,494 terrorism and extremism-related crimes were recorded last year, compared to 1,228 cases in 2023—an increase of 226 cases (17.8%).
Tajik citizens killed in wars
According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, 2,566 Tajik citizens participated in combat in Syria, Iraq, and Afghanistan, with 1,455 confirmed deaths.
Last year, 10 families consisting of 143 individuals were repatriated to Tajikistan. Since 2015, a total of 113 families (1,444 individuals) linked to extremist and terrorist organizations have been returned.
“All of these individuals have been rehabilitated into a normal way of life,” the minister stated.
Rahimzoda also emphasized that a lack of education, informal religious studies under local and foreign clerics, and exposure to radical ideologies are among the primary reasons young people are drawn into terrorist groups.
More than 4,700 Tajik citizens wanted
Rahimzoda revealed that over 4,760 Tajik citizens are currently wanted by law enforcement agencies.
“All operational and investigative resources of the country’s law enforcement agencies, as well as Interpol’s capabilities, are being utilized to apprehend them,” he stated.
Through collaboration with Interpol and foreign authorities, 68 wanted criminals were detained in Europe and Arab countries. Of them, 39 were extradited to Tajikistan, while 29 are undergoing legal procedures for extradition.
The Minister of Internal Affairs also reported that last year, Tajik authorities dismantled 14 organized criminal groups, comprising 91 individuals linked to 68 crimes.
Additionally, Tajik authorities, in cooperation with Russian law enforcement, arrested and extradited several members of extremist groups who had been residing in Russia. Rahimzoda did not specify their identities or affiliations.
