Kazakhstan's Ministry of Interior announced that more than 5,100 people were arrested during the recent riots in the country.

The Kazakh Interior Ministry said, in a statement, today, Sunday, that "to date, 5,135 people have been arrested throughout Kazakhstan."

The Interior Minister, Yerlan Turgumbayev, stated that about 300 people were arrested while trying to cross the country's borders, adding that they were found in possession of firearms, stolen items, and large sums of money in local and foreign currencies.

Earlier, the President of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, ordered the army to shoot militants without warning, adding that "we are dealing with foreign bandits, and 20,000 terrorists participated in the attack."

45 police officers injured

Recent reports recorded that 45 police officers were injured in clashes with mobs in the southern Kazakh city of Shymkent, according to the police.

"Forty-five police officers were hurt during unrest in Shymkent. Two are under medical emergency observation," a statement read.

The police presence has been increased throughout the city. The National Guard and Defense Ministry troops have also been deployed, according to the statement. A thousand civilian volunteers, according to police, are assisting them in maintaining order.

According to the Interior Ministry, over 1,300 police, National Guard troops, and military personnel have been injured across the country since violent protests over high fuel prices erupted a week ago. The number of law enforcement officers killed during security operations was reduced from 18 to 16 by the Ministry.

CSTO peacekeepers guard strategic assets

The Kazakh Presidency said on Sunday that peacekeepers from the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), a military alliance of six post-Soviet states, are guarding key assets in protest-hit Kazakhstan.

"A joint contingent of CSTO peacekeepers was put on guard duty at several strategic facilities," the President's office said in a statement.

According to his office, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev was briefed on measures to restore order in the country. Police and armed forces are maintaining a state of emergency, manning roadblocks, and searching for terrorists blamed for violence during protests, according to authorities.

Gunfire heard in parts of Almaty

Reports revealed that gunfire was heard in several parts of Kazakhstan's Almaty on Sunday morning, media said.

The Mir 24 news channel said these could be warning shots.

A Sputnik correspondent said sporadic gunfights between security forces and armed mobs continued overnight. Up to 100 gunmen and looters were arrested during the nighttime operation and some 118 weapons were seized.

Erzhan Babakumarov, the city administration's Deputy Head, said at least 850 attackers, looters, and other criminals had been arrested in Kazakhstan's former capital since unrest broke out a week ago.