DUSHANBE, July 31, 2009, Asia-Plus  -- The second group of peacekeepers from Tajikistan, consisting of four officers from the Ministry of Interior (MoI), was sent this week to serve with the United Nations Mission in Sudan’s region of Darfur, the source at a MoI said.

“Lieutenant-Colonel Suhrob Mirsaidov and Major Bakhtiyor Jonmahmadov from the MoI, Lieutenant-Colonel Lutfullo Abdulloyev form the Dushanbe as well as Major Shoira Ortuqova will represent Tajikistan in the UN Mission in Darfur,” the source said.

Each of them signed a contract for one year and the contract may be extended.

We will recall that five peacekeepers from Tajikistan serving with the United Nations Mission in Darfur were presented with the UN medals of honor in April this year.  Major Daler Rahmatov, Major Tohir Nourov, Major Tatiana Tikhanina, Senior Lieutenant Tatiana Markina, and Master Sergeant Barzou Afsahov have served with the UN Mission in Darfur since October 2008.  A so-called medal parade was held on April 10 and the peacekeepers from Tajikistan along with peacekeepers from other countries were presented with UN medals, awarded to military personnel who complete 90 days in the mission without committing an offence.