(RFE/RL)
May 12, 2006 -- Kyrgyz and Tajik security forces clashed with gunmen who attacked border posts on both sides of their frontier today, killing five people.
Kyrgyz and Tajik officials said seven gunmen attacked a Tajik border post, seizing weapons, and breaking into Kyrgyz territory in the Batken region, about 700 kilometers southwest of the capital Bishkek.
Regional Kyrgyz police spokesman Jenishbek Ashirbaev said the group clashed with Kyrgyz border guards, killing two soldiers, and then moved further into mountains in Kyrgyzstan.
Tajik Interior Ministry spokesman Khudoynazar Assodazeh told RFE/RL's Tajik Service that the group attacked from Kyrgyz territory, killing two Tajik border guards.
"An unknown armed group including more than six persons attacked from the Kyrgyz border a border post in the Isfarah region in Soghd province in Tajikistan," Assodazeh said. "They shot two of the border guards, they seized 19 automatic rifles and one machine gun, and went to the Batken region in Kyrgyzstan."
Assodazeh earlier said the gunmen also killed a driver and seized his car.
Kyrgyz and Tajik security forces are conducting an operation to destroy the militants.
(AP, AFP)
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Regional Kyrgyz police spokesman Jenishbek Ashirbaev said the group clashed with Kyrgyz border guards, killing two soldiers, and then moved further into mountains in Kyrgyzstan.
Tajik Interior Ministry spokesman Khudoynazar Assodazeh told RFE/RL's Tajik Service that the group attacked from Kyrgyz territory, killing two Tajik border guards.
"An unknown armed group including more than six persons attacked from the Kyrgyz border a border post in the Isfarah region in Soghd province in Tajikistan," Assodazeh said. "They shot two of the border guards, they seized 19 automatic rifles and one machine gun, and went to the Batken region in Kyrgyzstan."
Assodazeh earlier said the gunmen also killed a driver and seized his car.
Kyrgyz and Tajik security forces are conducting an operation to destroy the militants.
(AP, AFP)
RFE/RL Central Asia Report
RFE/RL Central Asia Report
SUBSCRIBE For regular news and analysis on all five Central Asian countries by e-mail, subscribe to "RFE/RL Central Asia Report."