Invasion of Kyrgyzstan: Tajikistan fires at positions of Kyrgyz border guards
The Border Service of the State Committee for National Security of Kyrgyzstan reports that at 11.30 a.m. its units suppressed a mortar attack by Tajik military in Dostuk village.
Then, from 12.30 to 12.35, the Tajik side fired at the positions and units of the Internal Troops of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic in Tort-Kocho area of Batken district. The shooting stopped. Investigation into the incident begun.
Violating the ceasefire agreement, at 12.37 the Tajik side began shelling the positions of the Kyrgyz border guards in Teshik-Tash, Karamyk and Karool-Dobo villages in Chon-Alai district of Osh region using mortars and artillery pieces.
Units of the Border Service of the State Committee for National Security of the Kyrgyz Republic, deployed in Osh region, returned fire. However, in order to de-escalate the incident, the Kyrgyz military was the first to unilaterally stop firing.
Emergency situation has been introduced in Batken region. Shooting began at several sites of the border between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan on the morning of September 16. Settlements in Leilek and Batken district came under fire. The Ministry of Health reported 103 victims, 24 people were killed. As a result of the armed conflict on the Kyrgyz-Tajik border, residents of seven villages in Batken and Leilek districts, as well as Dzhekendi village in Chon-Alai district of Osh region, left their homes.
Presidents Sadyr Japarov and Emomali Rahmon agreed to ceasefire. But, according to the latest data from the Border Service of the State Committee for National Security of Kyrgyzstan, the Tajik side violated the agreements again.
Negotiations between the border representatives of Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan are expected.
