Five people have been killed and another five injured in two separate attacks launched from neighbouring Afghanistan over the past week, the Tajikistan presidential press service announced on Monday. The incidents underscore escalating tensions along the remote and volatile frontier shared by the two countries.
Tajikistan, a mountainous Central Asian nation of around 11 million people, maintains a secular government and has long had uneasy relations with Afghanistan’s Taliban authorities. Officials in Dushanbe have repeatedly warned of drug smugglers, militant groups, and illegal miners operating along the difficult border terrain.
Recent Attacks Claim Lives, Including Chinese Citizens
Tajik authorities revealed last week that three Chinese nationals were killed in a drone attack originating from Afghan territory. The strike targeted a Chinese company’s camp in the Khatlon region on the night of November 26. The Tajik Embassy in Kuwait confirmed the casualties, adding that militant groups active inside Afghanistan were responsible.
The embassy further stated that cross-border militant operations had persisted despite Tajikistan’s efforts to maintain peace along the frontier. It urged Afghanistan’s interim government to take “effective and practical measures” to secure the border and halt militant activity.
Rahmon Orders Reinforced Border Security
According to the presidential press service, President Emomali Rahmon met with senior security officials to review the situation and outline steps to enhance border protection. Rahmon “strongly condemned the illegal and provocative actions of Afghan citizens” and directed authorities to implement firm measures to prevent future incidents.
There was no immediate response from Afghan authorities regarding the Tajik government’s statement.
Regional Reaction
Meanwhile, Pakistan has expressed condolences and “strong condemnation” over the killing of Chinese nationals in Tajikistan, as regional partners monitor the deteriorating security landscape along Afghanistan’s borders.
