Batken region situation: Sniper was shooting from Tajik side

AKIPRESS.COM - The situation in border villages of Batken region remains tense, Jorobai Osmonov, native of Kok-Tash village and village councilor, said on May 1.
"We visited Kok-Tash village. They said the agreement [on ceasefire] was reached. Then the Tajik side put gravel on the road and blocked the road to Tort-Kocho area," he said.
"Power representatives, just open your eyes! If we are captured, you won't do anything? I visited the red zone in Kok-Tash village yesterday. I saw our tank being shelled from mortars, but the officer did not allow to return fire. The tank crew members were just crying saying they were not given such order and can't open fire in return," the local councilor said.
"I went to Chyr-Dobo area with soldiers, which was captured by Tajiks. Our servicemen took it over back. But power representatives said the talks are in progress and gave the command to soldiers to return. As soon as we left, Tajik side climbed to the hill and a sniper began shooting into us," the villager said.
Despite reached agreement between the countries, tensions escalated again on some sections of the border between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan in Batken region on May 1.
The Border Service of Kyrgyzstan said the situation was tense as of 12.45 p.m. of May 1.
Tajik troops opened fire into houses of citizens of Kyrgyzstan in Arka village, Leilek district, Batken region.
The Tajik side blocked the road in Tort-Kocho area. This road links Batken district with Leilek district and Tajik Vorukh enclave with Tajikistan.
33 Kyrgyzstanis died and 163 were injured as a result of the Kyrgyz-Tajik border conflict.