Terrorist attacks masterminders detained in Tajikistan

Members of a criminal group who planned to commit terrorist attacks before the presidential elections have been detained in Tajikistan, a source at the public relations centre of the country's State National Security Committee told Itar-Tass on Saturday. Six Tajik citizens, including the criminal group's leader Alamurod Makhanov, were detained in the operation conducted together with the Interior Ministry, the security committee official said. According to the source, Makhanov was trained in special camps in Pakistan. He got in sight of security services in 2010 and was on an international wanted list. The group is involved in several serious crimes. The persons are held in custody in the security committee's detention centre. A criminal case is opened on terrorism charges. An official investigation has been launched. The presidential elections in Tajikistan are planned for November 6.