Tashkent police enhanced measures to ensure the public safety, the Tashkent city police department said. The police switched to enhanced duty in shopping centers, parks, markets and other public places.
Published photographs show MSFU (mobile special forces unit) officers with assault rifles next to special vehicles. They are checking visitors' bags with metal detectors before entering the park.
The press service of the National Guard reported that due to the month of Ramadan and to ensure the public safety, policemen are serving in an intensive regimen in all mosques during prayer, as well as in places of public events, large shopping complexes, markets, cinemas, parks and prospectuses.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs reminded of the events of February 16, 1999 (terrorist attack in Tashkent), terrorist threats in the Sariosiyo district (in August 2000), bloodshed in Andijan, which are marked by “painful memories for our people.”
“Similar situations have repeatedly happened in other developed countries of the world. Some are still at war. As a result, many innocent people are dying. The presence of small children among them deeply saddens the humanity,” the statement said.
The ministry urged everyone to unite and raise awareness in order to “protect ourselves from such bloodshed and terrible events, for the sake of the peace of our country, city, and neigbourhoods.”
“To do this, it is important to watch for people who look suspicious in public and immediately report them to law enforcement agencies. In addition, any item left unattended should be immediately reported to 102,” the Ministry of Internal Affairs added.
On March 22, several armed people burst into the Crocus City Hall concert hall in the Moscow region and opened fire. They also set the building on fire and it completely burned down. According to the latest data, 143 people were killed and more than 360 were injured as a result of the terrorist attack. 11 people were detained on suspicion of committing the attack.