Warlord Killed in Sweep, Government Says

Tajik security forces killed one of the leaders of an armed group they have battled for a month outside the capital, Dushanbe, the Interior Ministry said.

A spokesman said the body of warlord Mansur Muakalov, 28, was one of 10 brought to a morgue.

Muakalov and four other rebel fighters were killed during a sweep about 25 miles northeast of Dushanbe, the spokesman said.

Government forces have been battling a group led by Muakalov and Rakhmon Sanginov since late June. The spokesman said 50 rebels were killed and 70 captured, while nine soldiers were dead and 15 wounded.