DUSHANBE, July 26, 2012, Asia-Plus – Ceasefire in Khorog has been extended until the end of Thursday, an official source in one of power-wielding structures of the country told Asia-Plus in an interview.

According to him, the authorities delivered an ultimatum to members of the illegal armed formations to lay down weapons and handover persons involved in the murder of Abdullo Nazarov, the chief of the State Committee for National Security (SCNS)’s office in Gorno Badakhshan.

Representatives of local authorities are holding meetings with local residents, calling on them to take efforts to reestablish stability in Khorog, the source said.

We will recall that President Emomali Rahmon held a late-night emergency session on the latest development in Khorog with his cabinet on July 25.  He demanded that members of armed groups who clashed with government forces this week be disarmed and brought to justice.  President Rahhmon offered an amnesty to armed groups who surrendered voluntarily.

Tajik government forces launched an operation against what the government called “militants” after the murder of Abdullo Nazarov on July 21.

Radio Liberty’s Tajik Service reports government officials, religious leaders, and village elders have been negotiating with the fighters in an effort to end hostilities that have already left around 60 soldiers, fighters, and civilians dead.