DUSHANBE, October 2, 2010, Asia-Plus – Clashes between government forces and alleged Islamist militants in Rasht district, some 180 kilometers east of Dushanbe, are going on, the source at one of the country’s power wielding structures told Asia-Plus Saturday evening.

According to him, violent clashes are taking place in Kamarob Gorge.

On October 1, one of helicopters of the Ministry of Defense made a crash landing.  According to one of versions, the helicopter sustained damage as its vane hit the mountain, while according to other version, the helicopter’s vane was damaged by shell.  No crew was injured, the source said.

He also noted that another government serviceman had been wounded during the operation in Rasht.  There is no information about the number of militants.  Phone communication with Rasht district is still cut off.

We will recall that the government forces on September 22 launched a special operation to hunt down persons involved in a September 19 attack on a military convoy in Kamarob Gorge that killed at least 26 government troops.

Several days ago, the Security Council Secretary Amirqul Azimov was sent Gharm, the administrative center of Rash district by president’s order.  He, in particular, stated that external forces that were unhappy with peace and stability in Tajikistan were involved in destabilization of the situation in the country.