KORASUV, Uzbekistan - Breaking through a wooden gate and firing only a single warning shot, Uzbek forces on Thursday captured a rebel leader who had proclaimed plans for an Islamic state in this border town.
The arrest and takeover of the town of 20,000 quelled the last open bastion of resistance to the U.S.-allied government in the volatile Fergana Valley.
The crackdown came as the Uzbek Foreign Ministry condemned Kyrgyzstan for letting more than 500 Uzbeks fleeing the violence cross the border, and said weak border controls had led to "serious riots" and actions staged by religious groups.
"The situation may spin out of control if they (Kyrgyz border authorities) continue to take unnecessary steps," the ministry said in a note given to the Kyrgyz ambassador and made public Thursday.