Tajik side again open fire on positions of Kyrgyz border guards

Bishkek, Sept. 16, 2022. / Kabar /. As of 18:30, the situation on the Kyrgyz-Tajik section of the state border continues to be tense, the Border Service of the State Committee for National Security of Kyrgyzstan reported. Violating the reached agreements, the Tajik side again opened fire on the positions of the Kyrgyz border guards in the settlements of Kulundu and Zhany-Zher in the Leilek region. In addition, in the Batken region, the use of a multiple launch rocket system (MLRS) by the Tajik side was recorded. The Border Service of the State Committee for National Security of the Kyrgyz Republic takes all measures for a complete ceasefire and de-escalation of incidents. On September 14, Tajikistan showed armed aggression by attacking Kyrgyz border outposts and villages. On September 16, the Tajik side, violating all previously reached agreements, again attacked border and civilian facilities along the entire perimeter of the Kyrgyz-Tajik state border in the Batken region. Tajikistan used heavy armored vehicles, multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS) and aircraft in an attempt to seize the territory of the Kyrgyz Republic. The surroundings of Batken airport and objects on the outskirts of the city were also shelled. The Ministry of Health reported more than 50 wounded from the Kyrgyz side and deaths. Also, the media headquarters reported a dead 15-year-old girl from the village of Dostuk. On the sidelines of the SCO summit in Samarkand, President of the Kyrgyz Republic Sadyr Zhaparov met with President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon. The leaders of the two countries agreed to instruct the relevant structures to cease fire and withdraw forces and assets from the line of contact. According to the latest data from the Kyrgyz Border Service, units of the State Committee for National Security of the Kyrgyz Republic ceased fire at the clash areas. From the Tajik side, the intensity of shelling has dropped sharply, but in some parts of the border, the Tajik military periodically fires at Kyrgyz positions.