35 militants, policemen killed in attacks

Thirty-five militants and policemen were killed in two days of attacks that followed the sacking of a deputy minister accused of leading an opposition group the government closed down last week.

Thirteen militants were killed by Tajikistan security forces on Saturday, the government said, a day after nine policemen and 13 militants were killed in two other attacks.

"The militants were offered surrender, but they refused. The operation continues," an Interior Ministry spokesman said, referring to a joint police and army air and ground operation.

Tajikistan President Emomali Rahmon went for meetings with commanders in Vahdat, a town 20 km from the capital, which is near the area of the anti-terror mission against a rebel general, the president's media service said on Sunday, Tass reported.

Friday's attacks targeted a police post on the outskirts of the capital Dushanbe, and a police station in Vahdat.

Militants also stole a "large quantity of weapons and ammunition" from a Defense Ministry stockpile in Dushanbe, officials said.

The government claims the attacks were orchestrated by former deputy defense minister Abdulhalim Nazarzoda, 51, who was dismissed from his position on Friday.

AFP - Xinhua

(China Daily 09/07/2015 page12)