Violent clashes between government forces and Islamist militants go on in Rasht district, some 30 kilometers east of Dushanbe, Asia-Plus news agency said on Saturday.

On September 22 a special operation to hunt down militant leaders Abdullo Rakhimov, Mirzokhudzha Akhmadov and Alovuddin Davlatov, kicked off in eastern Tajikistan. The militants are blamed for September 19 attack on a military convoy in Kamarob Gorge in which at least 26 servicemen were killed

On October 1 a defense ministry's helicopter made an emergency landing in the Rasht Valley. The helicopter was involved in the special operation against the militants. Crew members were not affected, the agency said.

There is no information about the certain number of militants involved in the clashes. There is no phone communication with Rasht district for more than a week.

DUSHANBE, October 2 (RIA Novosti)