Clashes Erupt Between Taliban and Tajik Border Guards in Badakhshan

Local sources in Afghanistan’s Badakhshan province report a border clash between Taliban forces and Tajik border guards in the Shahri Buzurg district. The incident occurred on Saturday, October 24, in the Davong area and was reportedly triggered by a dispute over the course of the Amu River.

According to local residents, tensions flared when disagreements emerged between the two sides over the diversion of the Amu River’s flow. The river, considered a natural border between Afghanistan and Tajikistan, has been a frequent flashpoint for border-related tensions in recent years.

The skirmish took place near ongoing gold mining projects, where several Chinese companies are said to be involved. Local sources confirmed that the incident resulted in casualties, although the exact number of victims remains unclear at the time of reporting.

The clash comes shortly after Yusuf Wafa, the Taliban-appointed governor of Balkh province, made an official visit to Tajikistan where he held discussions with senior security officials on various security matters. The timing of the conflict has raised questions about the transparency and outcomes of recent border talks between the Taliban and Afghanistan’s northern neighbor.

Meanwhile, news outlets report that the Taliban have recently held a series of meetings with Ismail Ghaznavi, their newly appointed governor for Badakhshan. Considering the strategic importance of northeastern Afghanistan, these developments are seen as an indication of increased Taliban focus in the region.

So far, Tajikistani officials have not commented on the incident, and no official statement has been released by the government in Dushanbe.