Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09TASHKENT1469
2009-09-03 13:25:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Tashkent
Cable title:
DETAILS OF TASHKENT SHOOT-OUT MURKY; GOU TYPICALLY MUM
how-toVZCZCXRO7866 RR RUEHAG RUEHAST RUEHDA RUEHDBU RUEHDF RUEHFL RUEHIK RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHLN RUEHLZ RUEHNP RUEHPOD RUEHROV RUEHSK RUEHSL RUEHSR RUEHVK RUEHYG DE RUEHNT #1469 2461325 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 031325Z SEP 09 FM AMEMBASSY TASHKENT TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 1299 INFO EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE RUEHNT/AMEMBASSY TASHKENT
UNCLAS TASHKENT 001469
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR SCA/CEN
DS/IP/SCA
DS/IP/ITA
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PTER KCRM UZ
SUBJECT: DETAILS OF TASHKENT SHOOT-OUT MURKY; GOU TYPICALLY MUM
UNCLAS TASHKENT 001469
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR SCA/CEN
DS/IP/SCA
DS/IP/ITA
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PTER KCRM UZ
SUBJECT: DETAILS OF TASHKENT SHOOT-OUT MURKY; GOU TYPICALLY MUM
1. (SBU) Summary: Uzbek law enforcement officers engaged in a
"shoot-out" with a group of armed men in a downtown neighborhood of
Tashkent on Saturday, August 29, at approximately 18:00 local time.
The identities and affiliations of the armed men have not been
confirmed. Contacts in the Ministry of Internal Affairs say that
the group consisted of heavily armed Islamic extremists who had
been planning to carry out terrorist activities in conjunction with
the celebration of Uzbek Independence Day. However, other sources
maintain that the armed men may have been criminals rather than
religious extremists. As usual, the GOU has shared nothing
officially.
--------------
FEW FACTS
--------------
2. (U) At approximately 18:00 on August 29, officers from both the
City and National divisions of the Security Special Forces
surrounded a private residence in the Kukcha-Darvoza neighborhood
of Tashkent, near City Hospital Number One and the Kukcha mosque.
In an exchange of gunfire between security forces and the occupants
of the house, two or three armed men were killed, while two or
three others escaped. One officer of the National Security Special
Forces was killed, and at least two officers of the City Security
Special Forces were wounded. Exact numbers of casualties on either
side have not been confirmed.
--------------
MUCH SPECULATION
--------------
3. (SBU) According to a contact in the Ministry of Internal
Affairs, law enforcement officials were aware that terrorist
attacks were being planned at that particular location, and were
closely monitoring five Islamic extremists who were staying there.
After law enforcement officials surrounded the house, the occupants
opened fire on them with submachine guns. Sources linked with
human rights groups reported that, in the aftermath of the
shooting, security forces blocked off the area and requested that
the relatives of local religious convicts provide detailed
statements about their whereabouts during the incident.
4. (SBU) On the other hand, local embassy employees noted that
security measures taken in Tashkent over the holiday did not appear
to be commensurate with a serious threat of terrorist attacks; for
example, roads entering Tashkent were not blocked and vehicles
entering Tashkent were not being checked any more than usual.
Security forces were present in greater numbers, but were not
carrying automatic weapons, as they do when they want to make a
show of force.
5. (SBU) Comment: The lack of reliable information about this
incident has led to wild speculation about the nature of this gun
battle. Some sources believe that the timing of the shoot-out may
have been calculated to curry favor with President Karimov by
showing him that the Special Forces are working hard and earning
their salt at a crucial moment. In another conspiracy theory, a
report from a local human rights activist group suggests that the
shooting may have been "organized by law enforcement to show the
existence of threat (sic) of terrorism and religious extremism."
Rumors of other violence and disturbances taking place in Tashkent
were also rampant, but are unsubstantiated.
NORLAND
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR SCA/CEN
DS/IP/SCA
DS/IP/ITA
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PTER KCRM UZ
SUBJECT: DETAILS OF TASHKENT SHOOT-OUT MURKY; GOU TYPICALLY MUM
1. (SBU) Summary: Uzbek law enforcement officers engaged in a
"shoot-out" with a group of armed men in a downtown neighborhood of
Tashkent on Saturday, August 29, at approximately 18:00 local time.
The identities and affiliations of the armed men have not been
confirmed. Contacts in the Ministry of Internal Affairs say that
the group consisted of heavily armed Islamic extremists who had
been planning to carry out terrorist activities in conjunction with
the celebration of Uzbek Independence Day. However, other sources
maintain that the armed men may have been criminals rather than
religious extremists. As usual, the GOU has shared nothing
officially.
--------------
FEW FACTS
--------------
2. (U) At approximately 18:00 on August 29, officers from both the
City and National divisions of the Security Special Forces
surrounded a private residence in the Kukcha-Darvoza neighborhood
of Tashkent, near City Hospital Number One and the Kukcha mosque.
In an exchange of gunfire between security forces and the occupants
of the house, two or three armed men were killed, while two or
three others escaped. One officer of the National Security Special
Forces was killed, and at least two officers of the City Security
Special Forces were wounded. Exact numbers of casualties on either
side have not been confirmed.
--------------
MUCH SPECULATION
--------------
3. (SBU) According to a contact in the Ministry of Internal
Affairs, law enforcement officials were aware that terrorist
attacks were being planned at that particular location, and were
closely monitoring five Islamic extremists who were staying there.
After law enforcement officials surrounded the house, the occupants
opened fire on them with submachine guns. Sources linked with
human rights groups reported that, in the aftermath of the
shooting, security forces blocked off the area and requested that
the relatives of local religious convicts provide detailed
statements about their whereabouts during the incident.
4. (SBU) On the other hand, local embassy employees noted that
security measures taken in Tashkent over the holiday did not appear
to be commensurate with a serious threat of terrorist attacks; for
example, roads entering Tashkent were not blocked and vehicles
entering Tashkent were not being checked any more than usual.
Security forces were present in greater numbers, but were not
carrying automatic weapons, as they do when they want to make a
show of force.
5. (SBU) Comment: The lack of reliable information about this
incident has led to wild speculation about the nature of this gun
battle. Some sources believe that the timing of the shoot-out may
have been calculated to curry favor with President Karimov by
showing him that the Special Forces are working hard and earning
their salt at a crucial moment. In another conspiracy theory, a
report from a local human rights activist group suggests that the
shooting may have been "organized by law enforcement to show the
existence of threat (sic) of terrorism and religious extremism."
Rumors of other violence and disturbances taking place in Tashkent
were also rampant, but are unsubstantiated.
NORLAND