Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan agreed to withdraw all additional forces from border

Bishkek, Sept. 19, 2019 / Kabar /. Ularbek Sharsheyev, the Chairman of the State Border Service of Kyrgyzstan, told Kabar Agency about the results of negotiations with Tajikistan on the border incident that occurred on Sept. 17.
Shrasheyev emphasized that the negotiations were difficult, but they could achieve a result.
"The negotiations were hard. But we made a decision in the end to return to the starting position on Sept. 14 and at the same time withdraw all additional forces. Border protection should be carried out by regular units. The internal affairs bodies also agreed to patrol jointly in the village of Kalarcha in Tajikistan and Maksat in Kyrgyzstan in order to prevent the escalation of tension," he said.
In addition, the head of the Border Service of Kyrgyzstan said that military prosecutor's office and internal affairs, as well as experts investigate which side was the first to open fire.
Sharsheyev noted that the construction of the border post by Tajikistan was carried out on a disputable territory.
"We believe that this Maksat village is our territory, they believe that this is their territory," he added.
At the moment, the chairman of the Border Service said, representatives of the Border Service still work there.
"My immediate representative, the first deputy, has stayed there and will control mutual control on the withdrawal of forces and assets," he added.
The border conflict occurred on Sept. 16 on the Kyrgyz-Tajik section of the state border, the Tajik side was the first to use weapons, firing at the Kyrgyz border post Maksat from group weapons, and then the temporary Sai border post in Batken Oblast.
As a result, one border guard of Kyrgyzstan was killed, 6 civilians and 7 military received injuries.