Bishkek Recalls Ambassador From Dushanbe Over Border Incident

An injured border guard lies in hospital following a shootout between Kyrgyz and Tajik forces that left eight people injured.

Kyrgyzstan has recalled its ambassador to Tajikistan over an incident around a disputed segment of the Kyrgyz-Tajik border.

In a statement on January 14, the Kyrgyz Foreign Ministry said that Ambassador Urmat Saralaev had been recalled for consultations.

Construction of a new motorway by Kyrgyz authorities on the disputed territory sparked a shootout between border guards from the two countries on January 11.

Officials say five Kyrgyz border guards, one Kyrgyz police officer, and two Tajik border guards were hospitalized with injuries.

Kyrgyzstan accused Tajik forces of using grenade-launchers and mortars.

Bishkek announced earlier on January 14 that the construction of the motorway would continue despite Tajikistan's request to halt the project until the border is delimited.

Many areas along borders in Central Asia remain in dispute after the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991.

Based on reporting by KyrTAG and Interfax