"Despite complex geopolitical processes, armed conflicts near our borders, increased activity of extremist organizations, as well as economic tendencies, measures that are being undertaken by [our] law-enforcement authorities allow taking control over the situation and stability of public order in the region," Kolokoltsev said at a board meeting of Russian and Tajikistan Interior Ministries.
Kolokoltsev said that Russia and Tajikistan cooperate to prevent terrorist recruiters from crossing into their countries under the guise of asylum seekers, together conducting operations against leaders of extremist organizations.
In July, Tajikistan’s Interior Ministry announced that over 500 Tajik nationals were fighting within the IS ranks.
In November, the Russian Federal Security Service said that around 7,000 Russian and Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) nationals had joined the IS extremist network.