Tajik Authorities Claim To Have Foiled Terrorist Plot

Tajikistan's Interior Ministry claims to have captured a group of terrorists who were preparing to carry out attacks in the capital, Dushanbe.

The ministry's press service released a statement on September 21 saying the six men have been taken into custody.

Russian news agencies Interfax and ITAR-TASS quoted "sources" in Tajik security structures identifying the leader of the group as Alamurod Makhanov, who underwent training in terrorist camps in Pakistan.

The group allegedly planned to stage attacks to disrupt a presidential election scheduled for November 6.

The Interior Ministry promised to provide more details about the group on September 23.

RFE/RL's Tajik Service reported on September 20 that it appeared Tajik nationals were among militants fighting Afghan government troops last week in Badakhshan Province, which borders Tajikistan.

Based on reporting by Asia-Plus, ITAR-TASS, Interfax, and RFE/RL's Tajik Service