Kyrgyzstan starts fencing its border with Tajikistan

Bishkek: Kyrgyzstan has begun erecting a fence along its 970 kilometer border with Tajikistan after the two sides reached an agreement on demarcation...

Bishkek: Kyrgyzstan has begun erecting a fence along its 970-kilometer border with Tajikistan after the two sides reached an agreement on demarcation in March.

The work began on the Kyrgyz-Tajik border in the Batken region of Kyrgyzstan, at the junction of the borders of Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan, the press service of the Border Service of the State Committee for National Security of Kyrgyzstan reported on Tuesday.

During the first stage, 420 kilometers of fence will be installed. 3D mesh and barbed wire will be installed at various sections of the border, providing a multi-level security system. Anti-tank ditches will be dug in some areas along the borderline.

"Today we are witnessing a significant event of great importance for the citizens of Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan ... Our goal is to create a zone of security and tranquility on the common border," said Abdikarim Alimbaev, director of the Border Service of Kyrgyzstan.

Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov and Tajik President Emomali Rahmon signed an agreement on the delimitation and demarcation of the Kyrgyz-Tajik border in Bishkek on March 13.