This is prearranged aggression by Tajikistan. It was stated today at a press conference by Marat Imankulov, Secretary of the Security Council of the Kyrgyz Republic, who was commenting developments on the border between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan.

He said that Kyrgyzstan's security agencies had intelligence information about possible provocative actions on the border between the two countries.

"As early as 14 September, we sent the heads of law enforcement agencies there in the evening. The next day, Chairman of the security service Kamchybek Tashiev was already there. The same day we formed a regional headquarters on the spot. We studied the situation on the border and adapted our forces to repel those attacks," said Marat Imankulov. He added who that the contact with the Tajik side at the level of local authorities and security agencies remained uninterrupted.

However, on September 16, despite the reached agreements, Tajikistan began shelling Kyrgyz civilian and military infrastructure and border guard outposts.

"I, the heads of the security forces and the provincial security forces contacted counterparts from Tajikistan demanding to stop the shelling. They assured us they issued such a command, but the shooting, on the contrary, intensified. We had the task of ensuring the safety of our citizens. We started evacuating citizens to safe places. Forty-seven citizens' accommodation points were organized. And the number of evacuated citizens exceeded 137,000," he said.

Marat Imankulov stressed that this was a pre-planned aggression by Tajikistan.

"We noticed people in civilian clothes, with beards and guns in their hands among the participants in these hostilities. They fired indiscriminately into Kyrgyz territory. Military and civilian infrastructure came under fire. In addition, we recorded facts of torture of our servicemen who were captured by them. They killed with particular cruelty. We have not seen anything like this before. There were conflicts before, soldiers were killed from gunshot wounds. But here there is torture, mutilation of bodies. This is characteristic only of members of terrorist and extremist organizations. We have carefully studied and obtained irrefutable evidence about the involvement of Afghan nationals who were members of these armed groups in the attack on Kyrgyzstan. Their identities have been confirmed. The Afghan authorities have confirmed to us their citizenship," Marat Amankulov said.

The Security Council Secretary underlined that the President was constantly monitoring the situation and coordinating the activities of government agencies at a high level.

"Under the previous government, the army was weakened and lacked necessary equipment. Thanks to timely measures taken by the government to strengthen the Border Service and other law enforcement agencies with modern weapons and military equipment (unmanned aerial vehicles, armored vehicles, etc.), as well as co-ordination of activities, we have been able to minimize the scale of the tragedy.

 Today the President has signed a decree to increase salaries by one and a half to two times for law enforcers. I would like to note the well-coordinated work of all government bodies: the Government, ministries and agencies as well as local state administrations during the armed conflict to evacuate civilians to safe places, to provide humanitarian and medical assistance," Marat Imankulov said.

In his speech, the Security Council Secretary noted the dedication and heroism shown by the servicemen, internal affairs and emergency services in ensuring the security of citizens and defending the territorial integrity of the country.

"Unfortunately, some of them lost their lives while heroically carrying out their duty. The people of Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan are not to blame for this tragedy. They lived in peace and good-neighborly relations and hopefully will continue. The people of Tajikistan remained hostage to political forces that are pursuing their selfish ends. This provocation dealt a very serious blow to relations between our peoples", concluded Marat Imankulov