DUSHANBE, Tajikistan, Shawwal 11, 1431, Sept 20, SPA -- Heavily armed militants ambushed a military convoy in eastern Tajikistan, killing at least 23 soldiers. The military convoy was heading for Rasht district, an area about 80 kilometers (50 miles) north of the Afghan border, when it was attacked in a valley Sunday, Defense Ministry spokesman Faridun Makhmadaliyev said Monday. As well as the 23 deaths, many soldiers were seriously wounded and were evacuated for treatment after Sunday's ambush, Makhmadaliyev was quoted as saying by the Associated Press. Tajik President Emomali Rakhmon, who is currently in New York to attend a session of the United Nations General Assembly, ordered the attackers brought to justice. --SPA 12:04 LOCAL TIME 09:04 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/818627