DUSHANBE, 31.01.2019. (NIAT Khovar) – Russian Deputy Minister of the Interior Igor Zubov, who earlier stated that Islamic State (ISIL) militants were moving from Pakistan Tajikistan’s border, now notes that the previous statement was his subjective forecast.

“The information voiced by Zubov on January 28 at the meeting of the Ministry of Internal Affairs for the Republic of Tatarstan, reflects his subjective forecast of the possible development of the political situation in the Central Asian region,” said Irina Volk, an official representative of the ministry. She assed that Zubov’s statement doesn’t not reflect the official position of the ministry.

“A large number of ISIL militants are being forwarded to the border of Tajikistan from the territory of Pakistan via helicopters. These two states have no common border, but both countries border with Afghanistan, through the territory of which the militants can enter the Central Asian republic,” said Zubov (on photo) on January 28.

According to the deputy minister, a large-scale provocation is planned, which can lead to the extrusion of a large number of refugees towards Russia.

“A new ‘hotbed of tension’ is being prepared in the region,” he noted.

Commenting on this information, some State Duma officials noted that they allow the possibility of the penetration of militants into the territory of Russia together with the refugees.

Meanwhile, on January 29, the Tajik Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that it does not possess information about the presence of militants near Tajik borders. The ministry considers such statements premature.

“Today the situation in the northern regions of Afghanistan, directly bordering the countries of Central Asia, is tense, but nonetheless it is under full control of Tajik border services,” reported the ministry.

The spokesman for the Border Troops of the State Committee for National Security of Tajikistan Muhammad Ulugkhojaev holds a similar position.

“In case of a provocation and aggravation of the situation, Tajikistan is a member of such organizations as the CSTO, the SCO, and all the issues have been worked out in advance,” he said.