The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Tajikistan accused Kyrgyzstan of using mortars

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the incident at the border occurred due to the Kyrgyz side’s actions.

Photo: Internet

According to the Tajik Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on June 3, 2022, at 10:40 local time, “as a result of the illegal deliberate intrusion of military personnel from the Kyrgyz Republic into the territory of the Republic of Tajikistan, an armed incident occurred.”

The cause of the armed incident was cited as the Kyrgyz military’s disregard for the lawful demands of Tajik border guards to leave Tajikistan’s territory.

“In response to the demands of Tajik representatives, Kyrgyz military personnel took up firing positions and were the first to open fire towards the border post ‘Kekh’ in the village of Vorukh in the city of Isfara, Tajikistan. The situation escalated due to the buildup of additional forces and equipment by the Kyrgyz side,” the statement noted.

The ministry emphasized that Kyrgyz military personnel used firearms and mortars, including towards residential areas of the civilian population in Tajikistan.

In its statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the “deliberately timed provocation by the Kyrgyz side” and called for strict adherence to all agreements reached to prevent similar incidents in the future.

It was previously reported that on June 3, a shootout occurred between Tajik and Kyrgyz border guards at the Tajik-Kyrgyz border, in the village of Puli Oftobruy, 10 km from the center of the jamoat.

The Kyrgyz side reported that Tajik border guards, ignoring demands to leave the territory, opened fire on Kyrgyz military personnel. A shootout occurred between the units of the two countries, during which the Tajik side used mortars, Kyrgyz media noted.