Five IMU Members Killed In Kyrgyz Shoot-Out

JALAL-ABAD, Kyrgyzstan -- The press secretary of Kyrgyzstan's Jalal-Abad regional administration says five armed individuals killed by Kyrgyz national security troops were members of the banned extremist group the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU).

Speaking to RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service, Orozali Karasartov said that Kyrgyz national security troops located a group of IMU members in a house in the region's Suzak district.

According to Karasartov, the armed individuals resisted national security forces and opened fire.

The siege lasted for several hours.

One national security officer died and another one was severely injured in the operation.

Karasartov says all five IMU members were killed in the shoot-out.

He said explosives and ammunition were found in the house.

Kyrgyz authorities are currently working on identification of the bodies.