DUSHANBE, November 22, 2011, Asia-Plus -- Tajik Railways has proposed conducting a joint investigation with Uzbek officials of an explosion last week on a railroad in southern Uzbekistan, Radio Liberty’s Tajik Service reported on November 21.

The Uzbek state newspaper, Pravda Vostoka (Truth of the East), reported that the explosion occurred on the train track between the Uzbek towns of Ghalaba and Amuzang overnight on November 16-17.

The newspaper described the incident as a terrorist act.

Tajik Railways deputy chairman Usmon Qalandarov told RFE/RL the explosion damaged a bridge in Uzbek territory that caused key rail traffic between Termez in Uzbekistan and the Tajik city of Qurgon Teppa to be shut down.

He said Tajik Railways has written to the Uzbek State Rail Company proposing a joint investigation.  Qalandarov said the Tajik side asked for detailed information about the blast, including confirmation that it was a terrorist act.

The Uzbek side has not yet responded.