DUSHANBE, January 27, 2016, Asia-Plus – The public relations center of the State Committee for National Security (SCNS) has denied rumors that several members of the Alpha unit (a counter-terrorist unit) have fled their post in the Gorno Badakhshan Autonomous Region (GBAO).

The SCNS public relations center said in a statement released on January 26 that the rumors were being spread by people inside and outside the country that are seeking to sow instability 

“At the current time, all SCNS units are continuing their professional activity as normal and strictly abiding by their service duties,” said the statement.  “In this connection, we call on all citizens not to believe unfounded rumors.”

According to the report posted on the Payhom website, which is linked to the banned Islamic Revival Party of Tajikistan (IRPT), a group of around 11-12 Alfa troops dispatched to the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region on the night of January 21 disobeyed their orders and absconded with all their weapons in tow.  The report claimed, although without providing sources for its information, that relatives of the Alfa troops in question have been detained in Dushanbe to compel the men to hand themselves in.

Payhom also said SCNS chief Saimumin Yatimov had personally traveled to GBAO to oversee the situation.