Level of terrorist threats in Kyrgyzstan remains quite high - Atambayev
BISHKEK. Aug 25 (Interfax) - Kyrgyz President Almazbek Atambayev tasked the State Committee of National Security to take stronger efforts to combat terrorism and extremism in the republic, the presidential press service told Interfax on Tuesday.
"The results of this year give all reasons to believe that the level of terrorist threats remains quite high. National security bodies managed to avert 10 terrorist acts and acts of sabotage at the stage of preparations and unmasked more than 40 extremist groups in the last six months alone," Atambayev said at an award ceremony for officers of the State National Security Committee who participated in the elimination of gunmen from an international terrorist organization in Bishkek in July.
All said above envisages a larger burden and responsibility for officers of the State National Security Committee and all law enforcers, the president said.
"In these conditions the need for strengthening the attained dynamics of counter-terrorist activity is obvious in order to expose and curb terrorism- and extremism-related manifestations persistently," Atambayev said.
He spoke of the importance of the further strengthening of the efforts which are being made to fight terrorism and extremism, as well as unmasking, preventing and solving crimes targeted against citizens of the country.
In July an operation was carried out in Bishkek and its neighborhoods to eliminate Islamic State supporters who sought to stage terrorist acts during a festive religious service on the occasion of the end to the Muslim fast Eid al-Fitr. Four gunmen were killed, including a Kazakh citizen, and seven extremists were arrested. About half a tonne of explosive mixture, assault rifles, grenades and pistols were found in the rented flat where the gunmen had entrenched themselves.
