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Explosion reported in Uzbekistan | |
(30 minutes later) | |
The border between the Central Asian nations of Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan has been closed after reports of a blast and shootings on the Uzbek side. | The border between the Central Asian nations of Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan has been closed after reports of a blast and shootings on the Uzbek side. |
The Uzbeks closed transit points after an explosion at a police station in the border town of Khanabad. | The Uzbeks closed transit points after an explosion at a police station in the border town of Khanabad. |
Eyewitnesses said a shoot-out followed between police and armed men trying to drive through a police checkpoint. | Eyewitnesses said a shoot-out followed between police and armed men trying to drive through a police checkpoint. |
The motive is not yet clear, however, Uzbek media have speculated about a possible failed terrorist attack. | The motive is not yet clear, however, Uzbek media have speculated about a possible failed terrorist attack. |
Security services and military reinforcements have been sent to Khanabad. There was no immediate word on casualties. | Security services and military reinforcements have been sent to Khanabad. There was no immediate word on casualties. |
Extremism | Extremism |
The Ferghana Valley, where Khanabad is located, has been the scene of several attacks by militant groups. | The Ferghana Valley, where Khanabad is located, has been the scene of several attacks by militant groups. |
Observers say the strong rule of President Islam Karimov has fuelled extremism in the region. | Observers say the strong rule of President Islam Karimov has fuelled extremism in the region. |
Khanabad is also close to the Uzbek city of Andijan, where locals say security forces shot dead hundreds of mainly peaceful protesters in 2005. | Khanabad is also close to the Uzbek city of Andijan, where locals say security forces shot dead hundreds of mainly peaceful protesters in 2005. |
The violence there broke out after an armed jailbreak turned into a huge demonstration involving thousands of Uzbeks. | |
The Uzbek government has denied there was a massacre of civilians, saying it thwarted an Islamist uprising. | The Uzbek government has denied there was a massacre of civilians, saying it thwarted an Islamist uprising. |
It says the death toll was exaggerated, and that nearly all of those who died were soldiers or terrorists. | It says the death toll was exaggerated, and that nearly all of those who died were soldiers or terrorists. |