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Kyrgyz-Tajik Border Clash Leaves 1 Dead, Several Wounded

by Reuters

   BISHKEK, KYRGYZSTAN / DUSHANBE, TAJIKISTAN --

   A Tajik man was shot dead and several Tajiks and Kyrgyz were wounded in
   border clashes triggered by a dispute over road construction in
   Kyrgyzstan's southwestern Batken province, authorities on both sides
   said Thursday.

   The clashes broke out Wednesday after the Kyrgyz authorities attempted
   to restart work on a road project that crosses Vorukh, an enclave of
   about 30,000 ethnic Tajiks, in the Ferghana Valley.

   Three former Soviet republics, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan,
   have struggled for three decades to agree to borders in the Central
   Asian valley, which is home to several ethnic groups.

   In the latest clash, dozens of men on both sides hurled rocks at each
   other, and several men were wounded. The violence then escalated and
   one Tajik man was shot dead, the Tajik government said in a statement.

   The Kyrgyz government said one of its citizens was taken to hospital
   with a gunshot wound to the chest.

   The governments said border guards have intervened to prevent further
   escalation and diplomats from both sides were discussing the matter.