Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev on Wednesday sacked the country's Defense Minister Daniyal Akhmetov, the president's press service said.

Mukhtar Altynbayev, first deputy defense minister and chairman of the country's Joint Chiefs of Staff, was appointed as acting defense minister.

The presidential press service gave no reason for the dismissal.

Akhmetov, 55, was Kazakhstan's prime minister from 2003 to 2007 before being appointed as defense minister. Altynbayev, 63, took the post of defense minister for twice.

According to Interfax news agency, local media reported that Akhmetov's dismissal was possibly related to two fires at ammunition depots in March and June during which four people were killed and 17 injured.

It is reported that the sacking of Akhmetov was also related to the arrest of deputy defense minister Kazhimurat Mayermanov in April who was accused of "abuse of power" in weapon deals with Israel.

Source: Xinhua