Tajik forces declare ceasefire for talks

Tajik government forces on Wednesday declared a four-hour ceasefire to allow for talks in a massive military operation in the southeast of country against militants loyal to an ex-warlord, a military source said.

The ceasefire started at 0500 GMT and would end at 0900 GMT, the military official told AFP on condition of anonmymity, adding the talks involved Tajik Defence Minister Sherali Khayrulloyev and representatives of the town of Khorog that was the focus of deadly clashes that claimed 42 lives.