Shoot-Out

The central Asian state of Tajikistan imposed a state of emergency in a southern province following the death of two progovernment commanders, reportedly in a shoot-out. Capping months of wrangling, Tajik sources say, Sangak Safarov and Faizali Saidov went for their guns during an argument over the fate of refugees seeking to return from Afghanistan. Authorities fear the deadly duel could spark reprisals among the chieftains' followers and embolden Islamic and nationalist insurgents to reignite the fighting that has already claimed more than 20,000 lives.