Authorities say masked assailants have stolen at least five kilograms of gold in an armed attack on a mining company in Kyrgyzstan.
Law enforcement officials told RFE/RL the robbery took place late on September 7 at the Fonta gold mining corporation in southern Kyrgyzstan's Jalal-Abad region.
They say two armed men in masks shot a security guard and severely beat two other guards.
Police are searching for the unknown assailants.
The security guard who was shot is in grave conditions and doctors are considering airlifting him to the capital, Bishkek.
Five kilograms of gold is worth more than $200,000 at today's prices.