‘Snow Leopards’ in Kyrgyzstan receive support from OSCE
On 4 September 2013 the OSCE Centre in Bishkek provided Kyrgyzstan’s Defence Ministry with an obstacle course for training anti-terrorism unit officers and donated equipment for mountain patrolling in Osh, Southern Kyrgyzstan.
Practical obstacle training will be provided for members of the ‘Ilbirs’ (‘Snow Leopards’) Special Forces brigade. The course aims to improve participants’ ability to quickly and effectively respond to terrorist groups active in mountainous regions and will include instruction in running, climbing, jumping, crawling, swimming, and balancing. The donated equipment will be used for conducting mountain patrolling and anti-terrorism operations exercises.
“The Ilbirs are the first responders to any cross-border incursions from armed groups in Southern Kyrgyzstan,” said Ross Brown, Head of the Politico-Military Unit at the OSCE Centre in Bishkek. “Training and supporting them is crucial in assisting Kyrgyzstan to effectively combat transnational terrorism threats.”
The installation of the obstacle course and the donation of equipment are part of the OSCE Centre in Bishkek`s ongoing efforts to support Kyrgyz government in combatting terrorism.