The government of Uzbekistan has accused Islamic extremists of killing at least four militiamen in the city of Namangan. The interior ministry said police shot dead one member of what he called a Wahhabi group and that they were hunting for several other people. Uzbekistan is the biggest Muslim state in central Asia, bordering Tajikistan and Afghanistan. Its tough, secular government fears, above all, the rise of Islamic-style armed groups. From Uzbekistan, Monica Whitlock reports.

The chain of killings began when masked men cut off the head of a senior policeman and stuck it on a fence in Namangan, the biggest stronghold of Islamic thought in central Asia. The militia, terrified, detained literally hundreds of people before tracking down a suspect, Sohib Halimov, whom they describe as a Wahhabist.

The interior ministry says a gun battle broke out in which Mr Halimov and two policemen were killed. A third officer died later of his wounds.

The authorities are now pursuing what they claim is an armed Islamic cell. All this is really shocking news for Uzbekistan, where order is sacrosanct.

People who deviate even mildly from the official rules are punished with severity, especially Muslim figures. The leadership is deeply afraid of the power of the Mosque and of lawlessness seeping across the border from Tajikistan and Afjghanistan.

Whether or not the armed group in Namangan really has anything to do with Islam is only part of the point. What's important is the authorities have pinned the blame on Muslim elements and, despite enormous efforts, have not so far managed to restore order.

Police have formed a heavy cordon around the militia building for fear of further attacks, while ordinary people remain afraid and confused. State television and radio are maintaining a complete news blackout. .
 

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