On July 21, General Abdullo Nazarov, a senior state security official in Tajikistan’s Autonomous Gorno-Badakhshan Province was stabbed and killed. The government pinned the blame for this on Tolib Ayombekov, a former opposition commander. Government forces subsequently launched a series of military strikes that have left dozens dead. RFE/RL Tajik Service Director Sojida Djakhfarova discusses the situation and the strategic importance of Gorno-Badakhshan, which shares a lengthy border with Afghanistan.