BISHKEK -- A land mine killed a Tajik resident along the Afghan border Saturday (March 23) in Khatlon Province, Asia-Plus reported, citing the Tajik Interior Ministry.
The man, Mutabar Nazarov of Dashti-Jum Jamoat, stepped on an anti-personnel mine while gathering herbs in the border area in Shohin (formerly Shouroobod) District, said a source at the ministry.
The anti-personnel mines laid along the Tajik-Afghan border were aimed at preventing the infiltration of Afghan-based United Tajik Opposition (UTO) militants during the 1992-1997 civil war, according to the Tajik Defence Ministry.