On Thursday evening, January 27, fighting broke out on one of the sections of the Kyrgyz-Tajik border.
In particular, a shootout was reported between border guards of the two states.
What they say in Bishkek
According to official Bishkek, the conflict was provoked by the neighboring side, which unilaterally blocked a section of the Batken-Isfana road in the Batken region.
At first, the problem seemed to be resolved, but then the conflict flared up with renewed vigor – TASS.
According to the Ministry of Health of Kyrgyzstan, during the shootout, four Kyrgyz soldiers were injured and suffered from shrapnel wounds.
Bishkek insists the situation worsened because Tajikistan used weapons against Kyrgyz border guards.
Mortars and grenade launchers
The border service added: military personnel of the neighboring country also use mortars and grenade launchers. Personnel and heavy equipment are being deployed to the conflict zone.
In addition, according to information from Bishkek, Dushanbe is not paying attention to demands for a ceasefire, shelling power lines and border outposts.
Fighting continues “in the areas of Kocho-Boyu and Dakhma,” the Kyrgyz border service says.
The authorities of Kyrgyzstan are evacuating residents of villages located in the conflict zone.
Dushanbe version
In turn, representatives of the State Committee for National Security (SCNS) of Tajikistan reported that both border guards and civilians were injured during the fighting. It talks about one person being killed.
The State Committee for National Security notes: Kyrgyz military personnel are shelling the territory of Tajikistan, including with mortars, and also using UAVs.
The unmanned vehicle, as noted, violated the air borders of the state.
With reference to Tajik media, the TASS agency reports 11 wounded and one dead from Tajikistan. Eight border guards and three civilians were wounded.
Nine were taken to hospitals with gunshot wounds, two with bruises.
Reaction of the CSTO Secretary General
CSTO Secretary General (both countries are members of the organization) Stanislav Zas spoke by phone with the secretaries of the Security Councils of Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan, calling on the parties for an immediate ceasefire.
According to currently available information, Bishkek and Dushanbe have agreed to cease hostilities and withdraw military personnel from the border.
