Kazakhstan declares national mourning over plane crash victims

The national day of mourning has been declared by Kazakhstan President’s decree over the death of the militarymen in the plane crash near Shymkent in South-Kazakhstan oblast, Tengrinews.kz reports citing the President’s press-service.“In relation to the death of the militarymen of the Border Control Service of Kazakhstan National Security Commission in the crash of the military plane near Shymkent, December 27, 2012, is declared the national day of mourning in Kazakhstan,” the message states.Military plane AN-72 of the Border Control Service of Kazakhstan National Security Commission crashed at 06:55 p.m. on December 25, 20km from Shymkent airport. The plane had 7 crew members and 20 militarymen onboard, including the acting head of the Border Control Service of Kazakhstan National Security Commission Turganbek Stambekov.