Bishkek, 15 September 2000 (RFE/RL) - Armed militants from the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan attacked Kyrgyz government troops near the Tajik border last night for the third night in a row. The Kyrgyz Defense Ministry said about 10 militants attacked the Jyluu-Suu border post using grenade launchers and high-caliber machine guns. Kyrgyz forces repelled the militants. The border post is on the shortest route to Tajikistan.
Kyrgyzstan's government has repeatedly said the IMU has bases in Tajikistan and both this and last summer's invasions started from Tajikistan's mountains.
Meanwhile, Tajik President Imomali Rakhmonov is in eastern Tajikistan today. He said there are no IMU bases in the region, a claim made repeatedly by other Tajik government officials since fighting between Uzbek and Kyrgyz government forces and the IMU started last month.
Meanwhile, Tajik President Imomali Rakhmonov is in eastern Tajikistan today. He said there are no IMU bases in the region, a claim made repeatedly by other Tajik government officials since fighting between Uzbek and Kyrgyz government forces and the IMU started last month.