The elite counter-terrorism unit of Bulgaria marks 45 years since its establishment.

At the solemn ceremony marking 45 years since the establishment of the Directorate "Special Operations and Counter-Terrorism" (DSOCT), the Chief Secretary of the Ministry of Interior Miroslav Rashkov highlighted the significant role of this elite counter-terrorism unit in Bulgaria. He emphasized that DSOCT is tasked with the heavy responsibility of defending the security and lives of citizens, by preventing and suppressing terrorist acts, rescuing hostages, apprehending and neutralizing dangerous criminals, and detecting and disarming explosive devices.

During the ceremony, wreaths and flowers were laid at the memorial in the Directorate, and the memory of the fallen was honored with a minute of silence. DSOCT employees demonstrated the disarming of a terrorist with an explosive device, combat techniques, and the resolution of a hostage crisis. Visitors had the opportunity to familiarize themselves with the Directorate's equipment and observe the work of its employees.

DSOCT was established by an order of the Minister of Interior in 1979, and the first gathering of its personnel was on June 6, 1980. Despite changes in the name over the years, the Directorate has been established with the abbreviation SOBT, which is still relevant today. It was previously part of the Ministry of Defense, but is currently part of the Ministry of Interior and is the main counter-terrorism unit in the country.

The ceremony was attended by the Deputy Ministers of Interior Filipp Popov and Toni Todorov, the heads of GDSOBT and DSOCT, current and former employees, as well as their relatives.