KHUJAND, February 14, 2011, Asia-Plus  -- A 20-year-old resident of Panjakent district in Sughd province, Furqat Mukhtorov, was killed after a land mine along the Tajik-Uzbek border exploded.

The incident took place in the Khurmi area of Panjakent district, when Furqat and his 28-year-old brother Rufat Mukhtorov were illegally crossing the border, according to the Sughd police directorate.  “Furqat and Rufat did not have appropriate permits for crossing the border,” said the source, “Furqat was blown up by a land mine, when they crossed into Uzbek territory.  He died on the spot, while Rufat survived by a miracle.”

The Panjakent prosecutor’s office has instituted criminal proceedings against Rufat Mukhtorov under the provisions of Article 335 (2) of Tajikistan’s Penal Code – illegal crossing of the border.  An investigation is under way.