DUSHANBE, July 30, 2012, Asia-Plus  -- The process of laying down weapons is going on in Khorog, the capital of the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region (Gorno Badakhshan or GBAO) is reportedly going on.

Mahmadullo Asadulloyev, a spokesman for the Ministry of Interior (MoI), says the next group of members of the illegal armed formations laid down their arms Monday morning.  “People lay down mostly assault rifles Kalashnikov, sub-machine guns, pistols, and bullets,” Asadulloyev said.

According to him, clerics and representatives of local public associations are conducting negotiations with militants, persuading them to lay down weapons.

Asadulloyev stressed that the process of laying down weapons began in Khorog Sunday night.  He noted that the exact number of the surrendered arms would be reported today evening.

The clashes began in Khorog on July 24 when government forces launched a military operation against what it called “militants” following the murder of the regional security chief Abdullo Nazarov on July 21.

The authorities have blamed Tolib Ayombekov, a former warlord from the civil war, for the murder of Abdullo Nazarov.