KHUJAND, September 2, 2009, Asia-Plus  -- A number of women serving in the army is increasing in northern Tajikistan, Asia-Plus has learned from Nosirjon Toshmatov, an official with the Sughd military registration and enlistment office.

According to him, 52 women currently serve in the military units of the Ministry of Defense deployed in the Sughd province; one of them has risen to the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel of medical service.

Toshmatov added that the real number of women serving in the armed forces of the country was much higher because the mentioned figure did not include women serving in the border troops, sub-units of the Committee for Emergencies Situations and the Interior Ministry troops.