In October 1919 Melkumov became commander of a cavalry brigade in the 8th Army. In January 1920 he became commander of the 1st Cavalry Brigade of the 1st Turkestan Cavalry Division, fighting on the Turkestan Front. From August to September 1920, Melkumov's cavalry brigade took part in the Bukhara operation to overthrow the Emir of Bukhara Mohammed Alim Khan. In September 1920, he became commander of the 2nd Cavalry Brigade of the 3rd Turkestan Cavalry Division. In February 1921, he took part in the defeat of Mohammed Alim Khan near the town of Boysun and the capture of the cities of Denau, Yurchi, Sary-Assiya, Karatag, Gissar and Dyushambe, for which he was awarded his first Order of the Red Banner.