One of those who participated in these events is Zhyrgalbek Isabaev, originally from the village of Boz-Bulun, located in the Ak-Suu district of the Issyk-Kul region. At the age of 18, he found himself on the front lines.
In an interview with a Turmush correspondent, the veteran shared that his military service coincided with the hostilities in Afghanistan. “I was drafted into a military regiment stationed in Kapchagay (Kazakhstan). At that time, I was not yet 19 years old. Initially, they were recruiting volunteers. Upon arrival, we were united into the ‘Muslim Battalion.’ The first days in Afghanistan, winter 1979, were particularly difficult. Our training was insufficient, the war was raging, and the cold was unbearable. Comrades who had been by my side just yesterday were dying,” recalls Zhyrgalbek.
Isabaev spent a year and a half in Afghanistan. “After World War II, the Afghan war became one of the largest armed conflicts, lasting 10 years and claiming the lives of 15,702 people. We witnessed many innocent victims and shattered destinies. Every day could serve as the basis for a book about what we experienced. Now, Afghan veterans are between 55 and 65 years old, and we actively participate in events aimed at fostering patriotism among the youth. We hope that the new generation will have a bright future,” he added.
Gallery: Zhyrgalbek Isabaev
Upon returning from the war, Isabaev continued his career in the internal affairs agencies. “During my service in Afghanistan, I became a party member, and upon my return, I decided to become a military officer. Since 1981, I worked as a district inspector in the Internal Affairs Directorate of the Issyk-Kul region, then in the duty unit and in the department for working with classified documents. Now I am retired,” the veteran shared.
For his service, Isabaev received the ‘Erdik’ medal, the ‘Gratitude from the Afghan People’ medal, as well as departmental awards from the Ministry of Internal Affairs: the ‘Police Excellence’ medal and the ‘Azamat’ medals (1st, 2nd, and 3rd degrees).
Zhyrgalbek and his wife have three children and eight grandchildren.
