DUSHANBE, July 22, 2009, Asia-Plus – The Internal Affairs office in Tajikistan''s eastern Badakhshan Province says police and border guards arrested two Tajik citizens for the illegal possession of explosives, RFE/RL''s Tajik Service reported on July 21.

Local police say they suspect the explosives were brought from Afghanistan and were to be transferred to illegal armed groups that are active in eastern Tajikistan.

Alimurod Ashurmamadov, who rented out an apartment to the two suspects, said the men told him they came to Badakhshan for medical treatment. But he said that when they were arrested, police found explosives, night-vision devices, and other military equipment in their room.

Tajik forces have been battling insurgent groups -- many of whom are believed to be coming across the porous Afghan border -- in the eastern part of the country for several weeks.