BISHKEK. May 23 (Interfax-AVN) - Patrols will be reinforced in order to prevent the penetration of militants and drug smugglers into Kyrgyzstan via mountain passes on the southern borders, Commander of the Border Forces of the National Security Committee Zakir Tilenov told Interfax on Monday.
In addition, Defense Ministry helicopters will fly over these areas, he said.
Local residents are helping border guards with the assignment of volunteers and guides, he said.
The protection of the southern borders "is controlled on the summit level," he said.
The order of President Rosa Otunbayeva to enlarge the number of border guards has been fulfilled. "So far, the number of border guards has grown by 500 people, and we will continue our efforts," Tilenov said.
In his words, border patrols have been reinforced on the border with Uzbekistan and Tajikistan in the Osh and Batken regions. "An analysis showed that international gangs try to use the opening mountain passes in spring and summer to bring drugs and arms to the Fergana Valley," he said.
Kyrgyzstan is also cooperating with neighbors and Russia within the framework of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), he said.