DUSHANBE, January 11, 2013, Asia-Plus -- Tajikistan''s Interior Ministry says three suspected members of the banned Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU) have been apprehended in a special operation near the Uzbek border, Radio Liberty’s Tajik Service reported on January 11.

According to a ministry statement, one police officer was wounded in the operation conducted in Tajikistan''s northern district of Mastchoh overnight between January 9 and 10.

Police and security forces reportedly confiscated ammunition and weapons from the suspects.

The IMU, which says it wants to establish an Islamic Caliphate in Central Asia, is believed to have links with the Taliban and Al-Qaeda.

It had been active in the region, but moved its operations to neighboring Afghanistan in recent years.

Tajikistan saw a spike in militant activity in 2010 that led to the deaths of dozens of troops.