Leader of militant group in eastern Tajikistan mountains killed

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DUSHANBE — Nemat Azizov, the leader of a criminal group operating in Tavildara for the past several months, was killed in eastern Tajikistan, 220 km from Dushanbe, in a clash with government forces. The group has made several armed attacks on law-enforcement officials and power structures, as well as posts in Pripamirye. A source in the Interior Ministry headquarters said the remaining members of the group and its leader were discovered and surrounded in Tavildara region in the early hours of July 29. “The militants resisted with weapons. Shooting broke out and Azizov was killed. The rest of the militants fled,” a ministry source said. Searches are under way to locate them.

The law-enforcement department said 41-year-old Azizov was an active member of the united opposition during the civil war. After the peace treaty was signed in 1997, he was absorbed in one of the emergency situations ministry battalions stationed in Tavildara region, where he served for the 10 years before being relieved of his duties.

Azizov’s group includes Tajik’s who were with the former united opposition and foreign mercenaries trained in militant camps in Afghanistan and Pakistan.Government forces have eliminated the core of the group over the past two months.