DUSHANBE, Tajikistan -- Russian border guards have killed seven Tajik rebels on the same day as Tajikistan's pro-Russian government and pro-Islamic opposition exchanged prisoners as part of a cease-fire agreement, Itar-Tass reported Monday.
The fighting occurred Sunday as the rebels tried to cross the war-torn Tajik-Afghan border. No Russian troops were killed.
The exchange of prisoners, mediated by the Red Cross under a cease-fire deal struck in Islamabad earlier this month, took place in the eastern town of Khorog.
The Afghan-based opposition forces handed over 27 captives as agreed.
The government released 23 detainees, saying another four had been freed earlier.
Liviu Bota, head of the United Nations mission in Tajikistan, told reporters in Dushanbe that "both sides demonstrated wisdom" in going ahead with the exchange.
He urged the Russia-backed government and pro-Islamic opposition to prepare for a fourth round of peace talks, to take place in Moscow next month.
The freed government troops showed no signs of ill-treatment.
Despite the latest cease-fire, fighting has continued in the Central Asian region.
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