Kyrgyz Reservists' Exercises Held Near Disputed Border Section

BATKEN, Kyrgyzstan -- Kyrgyzstan has been holding reservists' military training in the southern Batken province near a disputed section of the Kyrgyz-Tajik border.

The Kyrgyz Defense Ministry announced on January 20 that the three-day military exercises had started January 18.

All males up to 50 years of age residing in the region were drafted for the training.

Army units are also taking part in the exercises.

Last week, Bishkek recalled its ambassador to Tajikistan over a shooting incident along the border that left several Kyrgyz and Tajik border guards and one Kyrgyz policeman injured.

Tajik authorities have not commented on the Kyrgyz military exercises.

Many areas along borders in Central Asia have remained in dispute since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991.

With reporting by mil.kg