Shootout at border: Tajik military use mortars

An incident with the use of weapons occurred on the Kyrgyz-Tajik section of the border. The Border Service of the State Committee for National Security of Kyrgyzstan reported.

A border patrol reportedly found servicemen of the neighboring country today in Bulak-Bashy area of ​ Batken region. They illegally crossed the conventional border line and entered the territory of Kyrgyzstan.

«Ignoring the demands to leave the territory, the Tajik border guards opened fire at the Kyrgyz military. Border detachments of the two countries exchanged fire, during which the Tajik side used mortars. According to preliminary data, there are no wounded or injured from the Kyrgyz side. To stabilize the situation, the head of the Border Service Department for Batken region and the commander of the Batken border detachment left for the scene of the incident. Despite the telephone conversations and ceasefire agreements reached, the Tajik side does not stop firing. As of 1 p.m., the shooting continues,» the Border Service informed.

The Border Service noted that all measures are being taken to prevent escalation of the situation. The agency calls on the Tajik colleagues to immediately stop firing at Kyrgyz positions. Otherwise, the Border Service reserves the right to apply retaliatory measures.