As of 7.00 a.m. on September 17, the night at the Kyrgyz-Tajik state border in Batken region passed relatively calmly, but tension was observed. Press center of the State Committee for National Security of Kyrgyzstan (SCNS) reported.
The joint operational headquarters of the parties, with the participation of the heads and relevant structures of Batken region of Kyrgyzstan and Sughd region of Tajikistan, continues its work to coordinate the actions of the security forces of the parties for the speedy stabilization of the situation.
«The Kyrgyz side calls on the neighboring side to strictly comply with the ceasefire agreements reached, to prevent any factors and conditions that contribute to tension on the state border,» the statement says.
Shooting began at several sites of the border between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan on the morning of September 16. According to the Border Service of the State Committee for National Security, at about 6 a.m. the Tajik side started firing at the border detachments and positions of the Kyrgyz side. Later, the Tajik side began mortar shelling of border outposts and border villages in Leilek and Batken districts. Shooting continues for the fourth day since September 14. The Ministry of Health reported 24 killed and 87 wounded. As a result of the armed conflict on the Kyrgyz-Tajik border, residents of seven villages in Batken and Leilek districts, as well as from Dzhekendi village in Chon-Alai district of Osh region, left their homes.
The Border Service of the State Committee for National Security of the Kyrgyz Republic made an official statement that the heads of the security services of Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, Kamchybek Tashiev and Saimumin Yatimov, agreed to ceasefire at 4 p.m. Presidents Sadyr Japarov and Emomali Rahmon also agreed to ceasefire. The Kyrgyz side completely stopped firing, while the Tajik side reduced intensity. But, according to the latest data from the Border Service of the State Committee for National Security of Kyrgyzstan, the Tajik side opened fire again.
