Kazakhstan is experiencing the biggest crisis of recent years after demonstrators hit the streets with the hike in Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) prices and stormed government buildings and set them on fire. While protest in the country turned into violent acts, counter-terrorism operation that launched in the country are continuing. The number of people detained in the operations, including citizens of neighboring countries, increased to 4.266, according to statement released by Kazakhstan Ministry of Internal Affairs. Ministry stated that more than 100 people were detained in only one of the villages in the Almaty Region. It was reported that an arms depot with several guns and pistols were found in a settlement in the Jambyl Region. Also Almaty police seized weapons and ammunition as well as stolen goods like bikes, televisions and mobile phones at one of the vehicle service stations in the Kalkaman located at the Almaty Region.
In the statement made by the Ministry, it was also stated that an armed group carried out an armed attack on a prison in the Taldykorgan city located at Almaty Region. In the incident, a group of 15 people attempted to seize the prison and as a result of the security forces’ response, 3 members of the group were killed and others injured. Meanwhile, 1 police officer lost his life and 2 officers were injured in the clash.