DUSHANBE, August 5, 2014, Asia-Plus -- Uzbekistan has returned five Tajik shepherds and a large herd of livestock to Tajikistan after Tajik authorities confirmed the shepherds allowed their animals to cross into Uzbekistan without permission, Radio Liberty reports.

Uzbekistan’s Border Guard Service said on August 5 that the Tajik shepherds were detained last week after illegally crossing the border to reach better grazing land for nearly 3,000 animals – including goats, sheep, and cattle.

Tajikistan’s Border Guard Service sign a statement refuting media reports in Tajikistan that accused Uzbek forces of crossing into Tajikistan to seize the livestock.

The Tajik border guards also promised to conduct awareness campaigns among the local population near the border to prevent similar illegal border crossings in the future.

Uzbekistan and Tajikistan share a border that is more than 1,100 kilometers long.