The Tajik Ministry of Foreign Affairs has accused Kyrgyz border guards of firing at border outpost in Vorukh jamoat (an exclave surrounded by Kyrgyzstan that forms part of the city of Isfara in Tajikistan’s northern Sughd province).
In a statement released Tuesday evening, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Tajikistan, in particular, says Kyrgyz servicemen suddenly opened gunfire and shelled the outpost in the village of Vorukh with mortars on June 14 at 6:00 am.
“As a result of this unprovoked act of aggression, the commander of Tajikistan’s Kekh border outpost was wounded. He was taken to the medical facility in Vorukh village. He is in critical condition,” say the Tajik MFA statement.
The Tajik MFA also notes that as a result of urgent negotiations conducted at the initiative of Tajikistan, the sides agreed to stop shooting at 7:30 am.
“Given the above, the Tajik side notes with regret that such provocations being launched by Kyrgyzstan against Tajikistan have become systematic. These illegal actions only exacerbate the situation along the border and do not contribute to maintaining the spirit of friendship and good neighborliness between the two countries,” the statement says.
At the end, the statement says “the Tajik side condemns the provocative actions and demands that the Kyrgyz side take urgent measures to prevent such incidents in the future.”
Meanwhile, the Tajik MFA says nothing about the Tajik border guard killed in an exchange of fire with Kyrgyz border guards that took place along the contested segment of the volatile Tajik-Kyrgyz border Tuesday morning.
The killed border guard was identified as the 26-year-old resident of Dousti district in Khatlon province, Murodbek Mahmadqulov. His body was taken to his native Navzamin village, where he is being buried today morning.
Asia-Plus yesterday misreported that the killed border guard was resident of Jaihoun (formerly Qumsangir) district in Khatlon province.
