[7] On 21 July, Major-General Abdullo Nazarov, head of the Tajik national intelligence agency's branch in Gorno-Badakhshan, was fatally stabbed in Ishkashim[2][8] after being dragged out of his car.

[5] Ayyombekov denied any responsibility for Nazarov's death, stating that the general had been killed in a simple bar fight after he fell and struck his head on a rock.

[5] Tajik military forces then moved into the province after which "heavy fighting" ensued on 24 July with militants loyal to Ayyombekov and Muhammadboqirov in the streets of Khorog.

[2] The Associated Press cited an unnamed government source as stating that at least twenty soldiers had been killed, while the chief military prosecutor, Khairullo Saidov, suffered a foot injury.

[4] President Rahmon ordered a halt to operations the following day, stating that rebel commanders had agreed to make "concessions," and called on all Gorno-Badakhshan militant groups to disarm.