BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan: Kyrgyzstan said on Friday that three civilians were killed in firing by Uzbek troops along the disputed border of two Central Asian countries.
Boundary disagreements have intimidated republics formerly controlled by Russia during its three decades of independence, with decision makers referring to various Soviet-era maps to support their territorial claims.
Kyrgyzstan’s National Security Committee said in a statement that “he died without realizing he was shot.”
It was the most serious incident on the border of Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan in recent years.
Representatives of the two border services immediately contacted and agreed to conduct an investigation, the statement said.
They were due to meet on Friday, the couple added.
Kyrgyzstan did not say whether the casualties were civilians or border soldiers.
Smuggling is a common problem in the region, while border communities also regularly struggle over land to graze animals and water resources.
Uzbekistan’s border service could not be reached for comment.
Bilateral relations between the neighbors were poor, but improved markedly in 2016 following the death of long-time radical Uzbek President Islam Karimov.
Karimov’s successor, Shaukat MirziyoyevWent about to mend Tashkent’s deteriorated relations with neighbors.
Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan signed an agreement last year to resolve the border dispute, but did not ratify the deal after Kyrgyz citizens expressed dissatisfaction over the terms guaranteeing the Uzbek side’s use of a reservoir located in Kyrgyzstan. was done.
The most explosive conflict currently in Central Asia is on Kyrgyzstan’s border with Tajikistan, where several dozen people were killed last year after unprecedented clashes involving military units.
Boundary disagreements have intimidated republics formerly controlled by Russia during its three decades of independence, with decision makers referring to various Soviet-era maps to support their territorial claims.
Kyrgyzstan’s National Security Committee said in a statement that “he died without realizing he was shot.”
It was the most serious incident on the border of Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan in recent years.
Representatives of the two border services immediately contacted and agreed to conduct an investigation, the statement said.
They were due to meet on Friday, the couple added.
Kyrgyzstan did not say whether the casualties were civilians or border soldiers.
Smuggling is a common problem in the region, while border communities also regularly struggle over land to graze animals and water resources.
Uzbekistan’s border service could not be reached for comment.
Bilateral relations between the neighbors were poor, but improved markedly in 2016 following the death of long-time radical Uzbek President Islam Karimov.
Karimov’s successor, Shaukat MirziyoyevWent about to mend Tashkent’s deteriorated relations with neighbors.
Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan signed an agreement last year to resolve the border dispute, but did not ratify the deal after Kyrgyz citizens expressed dissatisfaction over the terms guaranteeing the Uzbek side’s use of a reservoir located in Kyrgyzstan. was done.
The most explosive conflict currently in Central Asia is on Kyrgyzstan’s border with Tajikistan, where several dozen people were killed last year after unprecedented clashes involving military units.