Tajikistan said Thursday that four more militants had been killed by government forces as authorities pressed ahead with attempts to contain unrest in the volatile ex-Soviet state. The impoverished country bordering Afghanistan was plunged into a crisis last week when rebels, allegedly led by a former deputy defence minister, clashed with government forces, leaving at least 30 dead according to an official toll.
"Four militants were killed and a further 17 were arrested during an operation to neutralise the terrorist group in the Ramit Valley, where the militants are hiding," an interior ministry spokesman said. The ministry says around 70 rebels have been arrested since last week's clashes, which occurred in the capital Dushanbe and provincial town of Vahdat. The government subsequently launched an air and ground operation against the rebels in mountainous terrain north-east of the capital. The government has charged Abduhalim Nazarzoda, a former deputy defence minister, with high treason and terrorism.
It says Nazarzoda, who was sacked when the violence erupted, orchestrated "and personally led" the attacks, in which nine policemen were killed. Nazarzoda fought against the government for the United Tajik Opposition (UTO) during a five-year civil war that ended in 1997 and claimed up to 150,000 lives. Like other rebels, he was integrated into the country's armed forces after the end of the war.
The government also claims Nazarzoda is a member of the Islamic Renaissance Party of Tajikistan (IRPT), the country's largest opposition faction, which was effectively closed down by the government in late August. The IRPT, which positions itself as a moderate, faith-based party, has denied Nazarzoda is one of its members.
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