YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 17, ARMENPRESS. A Kyrgyz border guard has been shot dead and six servicemen are wounded after a cross-border shootout between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan on September 16th, Kyrgyz authorities said.

Two of the wounded servicemen are in critical condition.

On September 17, Kyrgyz PM Muhammedkali Abilgaziyev personally arrived at the border to review the situation.

According to Kyrgyz authorities the shooting erupted in the evening of September 16th when Tajik citizens launched construction of a building in a disputed zone between the border. Tajik troops also used mortars during the shootout.

In addition to the servicemen, civilians have also been wounded, Kyrgyz healthcare officials said.

Tajik media said three Tajik troops were killed.

The two countries have a 970 kilometer long border, but only 519 kilometers is confirmed by both sides, whereas the remainder is disputed.

Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan