Kyrgyz security service releases 35 hostages

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15/6 Tass 214

BISHKEK, June 15 (Itar-Tass) - Commandoes of the Kyrgyz State National
Security Service carried out several operations, in which 35 hostages were
released in southern Kyrgyzstan, the press center of the Kyrgyz State
National Security Service told Itar-Tass on Tuesday. Representatives of
several nationalities are among the released hostages.
"Commandoes of the State National Security Service continue the
measures targeted at exposing and curbing the illegal activities of some
bandits, as well as at preventing various public provocative acts," the
press center reported. "The local authorities jointly with local
authoritative personalities are conducting the active propaganda in the
local population," the press center said. "All necessary measures to
stabilize the situation are being taken" jointly with other law
enforcement agencies.
Five masterminds of the disorders have already been detained, the
search operation is underway "to find other active participants and
masterminds of the disorders."
The participants in the conflict have been using actively "over 5,000
metal rods and metal pieces," about 1,500 cocktail bottles, 25 Makarov
pistols and 279 Kalashnikov assault rifles, about 100 hunting rifles, two
sniper rifles SVD, ten pump action rifles and "many knives and sharp
objects" in Osh from June 10 to 15.
"Unidentified bandits have stolen about 100 Kalashnikov assault rifles
with rounds and several Makarov pistols from military units, police
stations, border checkpoints and the Marco Polo hunting shop during the
mass disorders in Osh and the Osh Region," the press center reported. An
antitank machine gun, six Kalashnikov assault rifles, an under-barrel
grenade launcher and 13 projectiles for it, as well as over 3,000
cartridges with various calibers were confiscated in the conflict zone.
-0-baz/gor