Deadly Clashes As Kyrgyz Special Forces Storm Compound Of Former President

Special-forces troops during the operation to detain former Kyrgyz President Almazbek Atambaev in the village of Koi-Tash, near Bishkek

Scenes inside the house where the fighting took place. Atambaev has his own security personnel who were with him when the raid began.

Special-forces troops surrender inside Atambaev’s residence.

A member of the special-forces team is attacked by Atambaev supporters after surrendering.

Supporters of Atambaev surround an apparently unconscious member of the special forces team. One policeman was shot dead in the operation. 

A fire rages in the compound as supporters of the ex-president arm themselves with sticks. 

A man holds a helmet and a clip of ammunition.

A bloodied member of the Kyrgyz special forces who was injured in the storming of the compound
 

Supporters of Atambaev brandish an assault rifle and a clip of ammunition. 

Supporters of the ex-president and a wounded member of the special forces (bottom right). As of the morning of August 8, six hostages are reported to be held by Atambaev’s supporters.

An Atambaev supporter wields a partly disassembled automatic weapon that appears to have been seized from special forces troops.

Supporters gather at the entrance to a building in the compound. 

Makeshift barricades inside the residence.

A blood-soaked man at the entrance to a building inside Atambaev’s residence.

Riot police in formation during the raid. The authorities have since withdrawn from the village. 

Rocks on a road leading to the compound.

Supporters of Atambaev celebrate after repelling the operation by Kyrgyz special forces. On August 8, the former president announced he would hold a press conference and called on his supporters to join him.