DUSHANBE, July 24, 2012, Asia-Plus - A special operation to break up illegal armed formation of Tolib Ayombekov has started in Khorog, the capital of the Gorno Badakhshan Autonomous region (Gorno Badakhshan or GBAO).

The State Committee for National Security (SCNS) and the Ministry of Interior (MoI) today morning released a joint statement, which, in particular, says that Major-General Abdullo Nazarov was killed by members of illegal armed formation, led by the deputy commander of the Ishkashim border unit Tolib Ayombekov.

The statement also notes that Tolib Ayombekov and his confederates refuse to appear before the investigation group and answer its questions.

Tolib Ayombekov is suspected of organizing illegal armed formation that have been involved in trafficking narcotics, tobacco goods and precious stones, the statement said, noting that members of that group are suspected of committing a number of serious crimes, including banditry.

In order to avoid unnecessary loss of life amongst the civilian population, representatives of local authorities and clerics have conducted negotiations with Tolib Ayombekov and his confederates during three days asking them to surrender weapons and handover those involved in the murder of Abdullo Nazarov to the law enforcement authorities but Ayombekov rejected the offer, the statement said.

In this connection, the power-wielding countries stared a special operation in Khorog today morning to break up the illegal armed formation, the statement said.