Internal Troops Day in Tajikistan Date in the current year: April 10, 2024

The Internal Troops of Tajikistan are the country’s internal security force. They are overseen by the Ministry of Internal Affairs. In addition to being in charge of internal security, the Tajik Internal Troops serve as the primary reserve force of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Tajikistan which otherwise do not have an organized reserve, and assist the Tajik Border Troops with homeland defense.

The history of the Tajik Internal Troops dates back to the creation of the Tajik Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic in 1924. That same year, the People’s Commissariat of Internal Affairs (NKVD) of the republic was formed. During the early Soviet era, the internal troops of the Tajik NKVD were involved in fighting the Basmachi movement.

Throughout most of the 20th century, the internal troops of Tajikistan were part of the Internal Troops of the Ministry of Interior of the USSR. Following the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, Tajikistan declared its independence. Several months later, the country was plunged into a civil war that involved various clans and faction fighting each other, so it took some time to formally establish the Armed Forces and Internal Troops of the newly independent Republic of Tajikistan.

The Tajik Internal Troops were founded on April 10, 1993. According to the Law “On the Internal Troops of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Tajikistan” that was adopted several months later, the main tasks of the Tajik Internal Troops are:

• Rendering assistance to the national police force (militsiya) and other internal affairs agencies and formations in protecting public order, ensuring public safety and the legal regime of the state of emergency.
• Protecting and defending especially important facilities and restricted areas, communications, and special cargoes.
• Participating in the territorial defense of the Republic of Tajikistan.
• Protecting the warehouses of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Tajikistan and military cargoes.
• Participating in the mitigation and relief of natural disasters, major accidents, and other emergencies.
• Participating in the fight against terrorism.

The Tajik Internal Troops have approximately 11,000 personnel in 10 units. As of 2023, their commanding officer was Major General Negmatullo Kurbanov.

The founding anniversary of the Tajik Internal Troops is observed as Internal Troops Day. Like all official holidays in Tajikistan, it was established by the Law of the Republic of Tajikistan “On Holidays” that was originally adopted in 2011 and has been revised several times since then. It is not a non-working day unless it falls during a weekend (and when it does, all formal events and activities are typically held on the closest weekday). Tajik Internal Troops Day is celebrated with parades, awards ceremonies, and other events and activities coordinated by the Ministry of Internal Affairs.