Kulob resident detained on suspicion of participating in the recent deadly attack on recruiting offi

The Interior Ministry’s website reported on November 13 that a 21-year-old resident of the city of Kulob Umedjon Amrokhon has been detained on suspicion of participating in the recent deadly attack on a group of military recruiting officers in Dushanbe.

Police are reportedly seeking the second suspect involved in that deadly attack on military recruiting officers. 

We will recall that two officers of the military registration and enlistment office in Dushanbe’s Sino district were stabbed to death and two others were wounded on November 7.

According to the Interior Ministry’s website, the incident took place at the Dehoti Street in Dushanbe’s Sino district in the morning at 7:20 am.

A group of unknown assailants with knives reportedly attacked Major Poulod Mirzoyev, Senior Lieutenant Temourkhon Egamberdiyev, warrant officer Hamza Nasibov and the military registration and enlistment office’s driver Rustam Sadulloyev following a conflict.  Major Poulod Mirzoyev died on the spot, while warrant officer Hamza Nasibov succumbed to his injuries in the hospital several hours later.

The search operation for the assailants is under way and the Interior Ministry has promised a US$ 10,000 cash reward for any information leading to the capture of the attackers.

Faridoun Mahmadaliyev, a spokesman for the Ministry of Defense (MoD), noted that the attack was not related to the ongoing autumn conscription campaign.

Tajik authorities have been criticized for years for forcibly detaining young men and drafting them into the army.

The two-month-long effort seeking to enlist young men aged 18-27 for the two-year compulsory military service takes place twice a year, in the spring and in the autumn.  The autumn conscription campaign is carried out from October 1 through November.