The Frontier Forces are the border guard of Kyrgyzstan. The organization is commanded by the interior ministry of the country, officially part of the military of Kyrgyzstan. Since 2011, it has had many disagreements of the border service of Uzbekistan. In 2013, the Frontier Forces took part in a joint military drill with China on the two countries' borders. Kulbarak fled the scene in a stolen car. He was confronted in a nearby gorge the next day while attempting to defect to the Uzbek border. A firefight ensued between police officials and the gunman evidentially leading to his death.