The State Committee for National Security of the Kyrgyz Republic (SCNS) commented on the latest armed conflict on the Kyrgyz-Tajik state border.
According to the SCNS, the aggravation was once again provoked by the Tajik side. «Evidence of this is the earlier committed provocative actions, starting from September 8, where, under the pretext of ensuring social and political stability on the Independence Day of the Republic of Tajikistan, the Tajik side transferred its special forces to Vorukh enclave, prepared firing positions, dug trenches near the conditional line of the Kyrgyz-Tajik state border,» SCNS noted.
In response to the provocative actions of the Tajik side, the Kyrgyz side has repeatedly initiated negotiations at various levels to prevent any illegal actions.
SCNS of Kyrgyzstan
It is specified that, despite the negotiations, on September 14, the Tajik side showed armed aggression in the area of responsibility of Bulak-Bashi border post of Batken detachment of the State Committee for National Security (the southern side of Vorukh enclave of the Republic of Tajikistan) using firearms and mortars simultaneously in five directions, including against one settlement (Samarkandek, Batken district).
As a result of another act of armed aggression, 10 civilian objects were damaged and three local residents were injured, who received injuries of varying degrees, one of whom is an 11-year-old child.
The SCNS emphasized that unidentified bearded men, dressed in black military uniforms without insignia of any branch of the military, outwardly resembling persons belonging to international terrorist organizations, also participated in the armed attack on the territorial integrity of the Kyrgyz Republic and civilian residential facilities.
«In connection with the events that took place on the Kyrgyz-Tajik state border in Batken region, we inform you that, despite any provocative actions from outside, the Armed Forces of the Kyrgyz Republic are able to adequately respond to any violations of agreements previously reached with the Republic of Tajikistan that threaten the territorial integrity of the Kyrgyz Republic.
The State Committee for National Security of the Kyrgyz Republic once again calls on the Tajik side to resolve all border problems and issues exclusively by peaceful means and at the negotiating table,» the state committee said.
Three shootouts occurred on the Kyrgyz-Tajik border on Wednesday. The border guards of Kyrgyzstan discovered a border detachment of Tajikistan in Bulak-Bashi area of Batken region. The military personnel of the neighboring country took up combat positions on a disputed section of the state border. The demands of the Kyrgyz border guards to leave the territory were ignored. Tajik border guards opened fire. In response, the servicemen of the Kyrgyz Republic also used weapons. Another shootout occurred in Pasky-Aryk area. The condition of one of the victims is extremely grave.
