DUSHANBE, January 23, 2014, Asia-Plus – Commander of border troops of Tajikistan, Lieutenant-General Rajabali Rahmonali has met with his Kyrgyz counterpart Raimberdi Duishenbiyev in the Tajik northern city of Isfara to discuss the current situation on the disputed segments of mutual border.

The sides are reportedly discussing the progress of implementation of agreements on withdrawing strengthened squads from the border.

“Besides, the sides are also expected to exchange the first findings of their investigations into a January 11 border incident,” the source said.  

We will recall that five Kyrgyz border guards, one Kyrgyz policeman, and two Tajik border guards were hospitalized with injuries on January 11 after tensions escalated into exchanges of gunfire along the Kyrgyz-Tajik border.

Experts note that the segment of border between the Isfara (Tajikistan) and Batken (Kyrgyzstan) districts is one of the most conflict-prone parts in the Ferghana Valley.  Conflicts over land ownership, delineation of the border, and water resources have caused tension between villagers on both sides of the border.