The map shows Isfara [Исфара] and the “A” is Vorukh, both cities in Tajikistan, though one is in an enclave inside Kyrgyzstan. The area is part of Central Asia’s most densely populated zone, the Fergana Valley.
Last week there was a shootout in the Fergana Valley. The Valley is one of the most complex geographic/political divisions that can be found on our globe today, and the borders are difficult for foreigners to traverse, but porous as a seive for local merchants and contraband smugglers… and elements less savory than that.
The BBC covered the story [with an appalling map] after four “militants” were killed Sunday the 18th, in Isfara, Tajikistan. Isfara lies in the nexus of sevaral borders, being a short drive from Quqon, Uzbekistan and Batken in Kyrgyzstan. Four suspects were arrested in connection with the killing in Vorukh, a Tajikistan enclave of Kyrgyzstan. The story does not mention the ethnic background of the men killed or arrested, but that they are believed to be members of the IMU. RFE/RL added the following day that the enclave had been surrounded by Kyrgyz border guards, which is interesting. Are the military/police forces working together? My conclusion [jumped to, of course] is that if there is one thing Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan can agree on, it’s that Uzbeks and the IMU are subjects best approached from a common front.
Now, Dawn.com put out a story the same day as the BBC one, suggesting that the militants were “trapped” in Vorukh for a week, with the aid of the Kyrgyz border guards. They also remind their readers that the IMU is linked to al Qaeda. And also…
Tajikistan sent troops into the volatile Rasht Valley region near the border with Afghanistan earlier this year amid reports that militants were using Tajik territory to cross from Afghanistan into the heart of Central Asia.
Extremist groups were largely pushed out of Tajikistan after the end of the country’s 1990s civil war, in which tens of thousands of people died.
Mountainous Tajikistan, the poorest former Soviet republic, shares a porous 1,340-kilometres border with war-ravaged Afghanistan.
The movements and actions of border guards probably had an effect on the latest UNHCR request that Tajikistan keep its border with Afghanistan OPEN. This may seem counter-intuitive, but the UNHCR is urging this in order to aid the movement of Aghan refugees into Tajikistan… something itself that deserves more attention.
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is it a racist who wrote the above article??
Guru, please let us all know what was racist about the above article, and I will try to make amends. Also, if you have more information about these events, do share.
you should get your facts straight.
no one was killed in Vorukh. All four terrorists were staying in a house in the center of Isfara city, next to Isfara College, Kolhozchi street and were killed by paramilitary. One of four terrorists was the owner of the house and his brother was sentenced to 11 years in prison couple weeks ago( his brother was a right hand of Anvar Kayumov or better known as Anvari Muldoni.) The rest of 3 terrorists who were in their late 20s were from Muldon, Isfara.
and one more thing to mention Vorukh is not a city its a village withing Isfara city.
@manodam: I can’t just take your word for it. The BBC gets things wrong, but I’m more likely to believe them than you, even if their map is silly. And if Vorukh is a village/suburb of Isfara, why is the exclave inside Kyrgyzstan also called Vorukh? That seems a bit confusing.
Another question: is there any connection between this and the incident in July?
Vorukh is indeed an exclave, a small town about an hour drive from Isfara city. Maybe it’s in Isfara rayon but certainly not in the city.
The four killings were in a house in Isfara; the four arrests, which haven’t been announced as connected, took place in Vorukh.
Vorukh is a village of Isfara rayon. if BBC says drop yourself from bridge, drop yourself. If it say jump from a building, will you jump? Vorukh is one of the jamoats of Isfara rayon. Isfara town is a center of Isfara rayon. Dushanbe and Khujand can be considered as cities if not towns.
Lastly, if you do not know the region well, why do you copy cat from BBC? Is it because of Google ads?
This is some weird comment trolling action. One More Time.
Unless there is some vast internet conspiracy, Vorukh is the exclave of Tajikistan inside Kyrgyzstan. YES, that means it is part of the Jamoat of Isfara, but it is still an enclave located in Kyrgyzstan. Insults and incorrect corrections aside, what do you have to say? My geographic proof may be weak, but I’ll link to it Here and Here. The Fergana Valley is confusing enough without this BS. I didn’t say I only followed the BBC – I actually disagreed with their terrible map job above in the post.
And if you just hate the BBC, here’s the Fergana.ru report…
Sometimes I don’t know why I even bother.
might be interesting
http://cominganarchy.com/2009/10/27/bordering-kyrgyzstan/
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