DUSHANBE, October 21, 2014, Asia-Plus — According to data provided by the Agency for Statistics under the President of Tajikistan, the number of terrorism-related crimes has increased in the country.
Over the first nine months of this year, twelve terrorism-related crimes have been registered in Tajikistan, which is four times more than in the same period last year.
Only three terrorism-related crimes were registered in the country in January-September last year.
Meanwhile, detection of crimes related to trafficking in persons has reportedly increased in Tajikistan. 24 such crimes have been detected in the country over the first nine months of this year compared to three cases in January-September 2013.
Media sources report that thirteen people were arrested by police in Tajikistan on October 18 on suspicion of plotting to blow up two key road tunnels in the country. They reportedly wanted to blow up the Istiqlol and Shahriston tunnels linking the center to the north of the country.
All those arrested reportedly returned to Tajikistan after fighting against President Bashar al-Assad”s government in Syria. They were also planning to seize arms in one military units and one of police stations in Sughd province.
Tajikistan’s authorities estimate that more than 200 Tajiks are currently fighting in Syria.
Meanwhile, Radio Liberty reports that a leader of the Jundullah militant group has been killed in northern Afghanistan. Hasib Siddiqi, spokesman for Afghanistan”s National Security Directorate, told RFE/RL”s Radio Free Afghanistan on October 17 that Mullah Shamsuddin, also known as Qori Zubair, and another militant commander Qori Asad were killed in an air strike the previous day.
Siddiqi said Zubair was involved in plotting the assassinations of senior government officials in northern Afghanistan.
Afghan intelligence says the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU) operates in Afghanistan under the name Jundullah.
Several people have been apprehended in Tajikistan who authorities say were members of Jundullah, RFE/RL says.
