DUSHANBE , April 24, Asia-Plus - The authorities of Tajikistan have no confirmation Uzbek troops have begun a mine-clearing operation along the northern and western stretches of the Uzbek-Tajik border, Tajik border service first deputy chief, Safarali Sayfulloyev told journalists on April 21.  

According to him, official Tashkent has never notified Tajikistan of the beginning of mine-clearing operations at Uzbekistan ’s common border with Tajikistan . 

Sayfulloyev recalled that Uzbekistan had begun to plant landmines along its border with Tajikistan in 1999.  Uzbekistan then argued there was a risk of penetrations by gangs of international terrorists. At the same time the Tajik border official said that civilians were the mines’ victims in most cases.  69 people have been killed and 50 others have been injured in landmine explosions on the Tajik-Uzbek border since 1999.