The border guards have begun operations to clear the border between Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.

The Tajik National Security Committee (SNB) has announced the launch of a mine clearance of the Punjikent district in the Soghd region of Uzbekistan bordering Samarkand Region.

However, the total amount of mined land on the Tajik-Uzbek border remains confidential. According to unofficial data, the mined area is 9,5 square kilometers.

During his official visit to Tajikistan, President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev has agreed to complete the mine clearance work by the end of 2019.

Recall, Uzbekistan bordered the border with Tajikistan in the late 90s of the last century. At that time Tashkent officially declared that we would not let the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan go to the region. According to Tajikistan's official data, over 800,000 Tajiks have been affected by the mine in the past 20 years.

"The Qazaq Times"