BISHKEK, January 12 (RIA Novosti) – Kyrgyzstan closed security posts along its border with Tajikistan after several border guards were injured in Saturday’s clash, the Foreign Ministry has said.
Five Kyrgyz border guards and three Tajik border guards were injured in a clash in Kyrgyzstan's southern Batken Province. Kyrgyzstan said the incident had been provoked by Tajikistan.
Tajikistan denied the claims saying Tajik border guards attempted to stop what it says was the illegal construction of a road when their Kyrgyz counterparts opened fire on them.
The Kyrgyz Foreign Ministry sent a note to Tajikistan Sunday saying that the measure was taken to prevent ethnic conflicts and ensure security of citizens in border areas.
“The Kyrgyz side expressed serious concerns over the illegal action of Tajik troops who used firearms and provoked the shootout between the troops, some of whom were injured,” the statement said.
Kyrgyzstan has called on Tajikistan to jointly investigate the incident, which came less than a week after the sides agreed to jointly patrol disputed segments of their 1,000-kilometer-long border.
