OSH. Aug 26 (Interfax) - Kyrgyz and Tajik border guards have exchanged fire, eyewitnesses told Interfax on Monday.
"A conflict between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan border units escalated today in a shooting in the Leilek district of the Batken Province at the Kyrgyz-Tajik border," a witness said.
According to information from a witness, the shooting occurred near a bridge being built on the Maskat-Kulundu highway in Leilek district.
Witnesses say that an argument between the border units of the two neighboring countries escalated into a physical conflict and then forces which came to the scene as reinforcements for the Tajik border guards opened fire with a grenade launcher.
According to preliminary information, no one from Kyrgyzstan was injured and additional forces were sent to the conflict area.
Local authorities on both sides of the border have already gathered for talks in order to resolve the conflict. "As of now, fire has ceased but the situation remains tense," the witness said.
Kyrgyzstan's border service said that the conflict erupted after Tajik border guards attempted to set up a border post in unmarked territory on the border with Kyrgyzstan.
"In violation of earlier agreements, Tajik border guards attempted to set up a border post in unidentified territory in the Sai locality of the Leilek district," a spokesman for the Kyrgyz Sate Border Service told Interfax.
He said a heated argument deteriorated into shooting, initiated by Tajik border guards, who fired shots with assault rifles and mortars at Kyrgyz border guards. "The shooting has ended, but tensions persist, although they are controlled," the State Border Service said.
"Our personnel on this stretch of the border have been placed on alert," the State Border Service said.
Earlier on Monday, a group of civilians from Tajikistan hurled stones at Kyrgyz border guards and attempted to destroy a bridge across the Gulyakandos River.