DUSHANBE, July 25, 2012, Asia-Plus – According to unofficial data, Muhammadshoh (Shoh) Iskandarov, deputy chief of the Interior Ministry’s department in Rasht Valley, has allegedly been killed during a special operation in Khorog, the administrative center of Gorno Badakhshan.
A source in one of law enforcement agencies of the country told Asia-Plus Wednesday afternoon that Shoh Iskandarov, Mirzokhouja Ahmadov (former chief of the regional body empowered to combat organized crime in Rasht Valley) and his people were sent to Gorno Badakhshan a month ago for strengthening of the border with Afghanistan.
One of supporters of Ahmadov told Asia-Plus Wednesday afternoon that he has got in touch with Mirzokhouja Ahmadov several hours ago, “but there is no communication from him now,” he said.
We will recall that Shoh Iskandarov was given an Interior ministry post in Rasht Valley in April 2011. He was reportedly appointed as deputy head of an Interior Ministry department in Rasht Valley in recognition of his role in defusing the crisis there in the fall of 2010 when Islamist militants fought against government forces. Dozens of people were killed in the fighting.
Iskandarov was a field commander of the United Tajik Opposition (UTO) in Rasht during the 1992-1997 civil war, fighting against forces loyal to President Emomali Rahmon.
After the signing of the 1997 peace agreement, he served in the border guard forces and retired several years ago as a colonel. He had worked since then in a local coal mine.
