Security forces in Kyrgyzstan detained former president Almazbek Atambayev on Thursday after at least one failed attempt that left one person dead, Russia's Interfax news agency reported.

Atambayev, who was initially wanted for questioning as a witness in an investigation, was being driven away in an unknown direction from his house by security forces, Russia's RIA news agency cited his lawyer as saying.

President Sooronbai Jeenbekov ordered unspecified "urgent measures" on Thursday to maintain the rule of law after a first attempt to capture Atambayev led to violent clashes with his followers.