DUSHANBE, October 12, 2012, Asia-Plus -- Senior representatives of law enforcement authorities are currently in Khorog, the capital of the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region (GBAO) to discuss issues related to strengthening of legality in the region.

According to some sources, head of the State Committee for National Security (SCNS), Saymumin Yatimov has been in Gorno Badakhshan for already three days and he has held a number of meetings with local residents to this date.

Meanwhile, Interior minister Ramazon Rahimov and Defense Minister Sherali Khairulloyev left for Khorog yesterday.  They are scheduled to hold a meeting with heads of local law enforcement agencies to discuss the weapons surrender process and the crime prevention issues.

We will recall that the clashes began in Khorog on July 24 when government forces launched a military operation against what it called “militants” following the murder of the regional security chief Abdullo Nazarov on July 21.

The authorities have blamed Tolib Ayombekov, a former warlord from the civil war who had been deputy chief of border unit in the Ishkashim district until recently, for the murder of the regional security chief Abdullo Nazarov.  Hundreds of troops have reportedly poured into Khorog to hunt down Ayombekov.

Authorities also accused Ayombekov of drug-trading and smuggling tobacco and precious stones.

Tolib Ayombekov has denied the accusations and said the government is using Nazarov''s death as a pretext for cementing its grip over Gorno Badakhshan.  Tolib Ayombekov surrendered to the authorities on August 12.

Another former filed commander of the United Tajik Opposition (UTO) in Gorno Badakhshan, Imomnazar Imomnazarov, was murdered by unknown assailants in his home in Khorog on August 22.