Azerbaijan, Baku, Aug. 1 / Trend E. Kosolapova /
Tajikistan started withdrawal of troops from the city of Khorog where the special operation against illegal armed groups took place, Radio Ozodi reported with the reference to a source in Tajik law enforcement agencies.
"In order to create normal conditions of service for more than 2,000 soldiers and officers located in Khorog, it is necessary to return units to their permanent deployment places," the source said.
Currently government forces are located only in Khorog's Bizmich microdistrict near the airport. A battalion of 500 soldiers will remain in the city until the completion of the disarmament process.
A special operation started in Tajik city of Khorog on July 24 to neutralize illegal armed formation, which, according to security services, participated in murdering regional head of National Security Committee Abdullo Nazarov.
Tajikistan's Interior Ministry and the National Security Committee earlier said 30 militants were killed and 40 were arrested within the special operation. Moreover 12 Tajik security officers were reported to have been killed and another 25 were injured.
Tajik authorities have already reached peace agreement with illegal armed groups. Following the agreement, illegal armed groups in Khorog surrendered more than 200 weapons.