Archived page: may contain outdated information!

Tajikistan: dead and injured evacuated

21-02-1996 News Release 96/07

On 18 February, ICRC delegates in Tajikistan evacuated the mortal remains of 47 government soldiers killed in clashes during the past few weeks with Islamic opposition fighters in the Mionadu valley near Tavildara. A wounded detainee was also entrusted to the care of the ICRC.

The delegates had been taking part since 14 February in a group composed of representatives from the Tajik government, the opposition and the United Nations, whose mission it was to recover the bodies of 92 victims of the recent fighting. After obtaining the necessary authorizations and the guarantee of a cease-fire, the delegates crossed the front line into opposition-held territory, where some of the bodies lay. However, heavy snowfalls forced them to turn back sooner than planned. They hope to return to the area when the weather has improved.