Batken Region

region of Kyrgyzstan

armed clashes between militants of the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan and the Armed Forces of Kyrgyzstan

Kan-i-Gut (or Kanigut or Kani-Gut, "mine-of-loss", ) cave is a geological protected area (nature monument) located at north slopes of Turkestan Range in Batken District, Batken Region, Kyrgyzstan. The cave consists of 18 large caverns, deep cavities, narrow passageways and tunnels. It is long and deep. From the 6th to the 11th century the cave served as a lead and iron mine. Silver and other metals and minerals were also mined here at the time. The first miners in the cave were Arabs, so the Chinese continued, and much later during World War II, Soviet political prisoners mined here.

geologic formation in the Batken and Osh Regions of western Kyrgyzstan