Kyrgyzstani PM orders to boost border protection as 1 killed, 10 injured in Kyrgyz-Tajik border clashes

AKIPRESS.COM - About 10 people - soldiers and civilians including a 14-year-old child - were hospitalized following the shootout on the Kyrgyz-Tajik border on Sept 16, some of them were reported in serious condition. The State Border Guard Service of Kyrgyzstan said in a statement that the armed conflict occurred in the Kyrgyz-Tajik section of the state border. The Tajik side was the first to use weapons against Kyrgyz border guards of the Maksat and Sai border posts in the Leilek district of Batken region.
One serviceman of the Kyrgyz State Border Service was killed. As of 9:30 p.m., the exchange of fire was stopped, but some reports suggested that the situation is not stable on spot.
Kyrgyz and Tajik border officials are holding talks to prevent further escalation of the situation.
The reason for the incident was that a Tajik citizen's beginning of a construction work on the undescribed section of the state border, in response to which a Kyrgyz citizen also began construction of a fence on the territory of his home near that area.
The Prime Minister of Kyrgyzstan Muhamedkaliy Abilgaziyev had an urgent meeting with the heads of law enforcement agencies. PM Abilgaziyev ordered to strengthen measures to protect and defend the state borders.
Deputy Prime Minister Jenish Razakov and Chairman of the State Border Service Ularbek Sharsheev will mobilize to Batken. Prime Minister also instructed the Ministry of Health to take all necessary measures to treat injured persons.