Much Of Kyrgyz-Uzbek Border Still Shut In Wake Of Attacks
The Intimaq border post on the Kyrgyz side of the Uzbek-Kyrgyz frontier shortly after its closure on May 26
May 29, 2009
All but a single Kyrgyz-Uzbek border crossing remain closed four days after two deadly attacks in Uzbekistan, including a shootout between police and unknown assailants near a border checkpoint, RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service reports.
The border was closed after shootouts in the eastern Uzbek cities of Khanabad and Andijon near the Kyrgyz border on May 25.
The region has proven a trouble spot in the past, with a high density of inhabitants and persistent social and economic woes.
Cholponbek Turusbekov, the deputy chief of Kyrgyzstan's border guards, told RFE/RL that Uzbek citizens in Kyrgyzstan are being urged to return to Uzbekistan and Kyrgyz citizens to return to Kyrgyzstan.
Turusbekov said authorities are thoroughly checking the documents of all those passing through the only open border checkpoint.
He said the attackers have not yet been detained.
Uzbek authorities also provided Kyrgyz border guards with composite pictures of the alleged assailants based on eyewitness accounts.