DUSHANBE, July 25, 2012, Asia-Plus — President Emomali Rahmon has reportedly declared a unilateral truce in a bid to end fighting between government forces and militants in eastern Tajikistan that has reportedly killed nearly 50 people, Radio Liberty’s Tajik Service reported on July 25.
The head of the Gorno-Badakhshan regional government, Qodir Qosim, said Rahmon declared the truce on July 25 after sending officials led by his defense minister to the region to negotiate.
The government has described the armed fighters as “militants.”
The authorities said at least 12 soldiers and 30 militants were killed in fighting in the remote mountainous region on July 24.
Qosim said six civilians were also killed by snipers in Khorog city, though it was not immediately clear who the gunmen were.
The fighting broke out after the government moved forces to the region following the assassination of security official Abdullo Nazarov on July 21.
