There has been heavy fighting in Turkmenistan between Islamist militants and security forces in the capital, Ashgabat, unconfirmed reports say.

Residents told news agencies that at least 20 police officers had died in gun battles on Friday night, and that police were now patrolling the area.

Turkmenistan's media did not report on the alleged fighting.

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The country is overwhelmingly Muslim but correspondents say Islamist violence is virtually unheard of, as the government has stamped out opposition.

(BBC)

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