DUSHANBE, October 4, 2010, Asia-Plus – Four servicemen of the special unit at the Khatlon police directorate were killed and commander of the Khatlon special police unit was seriously wounded in a clash between the government forces and alleged Islamist militants in Kamarob Gorge in Rasht district, some 180 kilometers east of Dushanbe, today, the source at the Khatlon police directorate said, noting that the Khatlon special police unit commander was seriously wounded in that clash.

Besides, the 45-year-old Senior Lieutenant Yatim Salimov was killed in a clash in the area on Sunday (October 3), the source noted, adding that two militants were also killed in Sunday’s clash.

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 visited 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.

It is to be noted that it is very difficult for media to get information about the latest developments in the east of the country as there has been no phone communication with Rasht district since September 22, while press services of the power-wielding and law enforcement press services refuse to provide information.