Two Tajik Border Guards Killed in Attack from Afghan Territory, Authorities Confirm
Tajikistan’s National Security Committee has confirmed that two of its border guards were killed in a clash with armed militants who launched the attack from Afghan territory. Three of the attackers were also killed in the confrontation.
The committee announced on Thursday, December 25, in a statement that the incident occurred during a confrontation between Tajik border forces and armed individuals who had crossed over from Afghanistan. Earlier, the 8 Sobh newspaper had reported, citing sources, that Tajik border guards had been targeted.
According to the information provided, the attack was organized from the Shahr-e- Bozorg district of Badakhshan and the Chah Ab district of Takhar—two regions located along the border with Tajikistan, which have repeatedly raised security concerns in recent years.
Sources indicate that the bodies of the attackers are currently in custody of the Tajik forces. The National Security Committee claimed that the deceased assailants were members of a terrorist organization, though no further details about their identities have been released.
The committee also added that a significant amount of ammunition was seized from the attackers. Tajik officials emphasized that the Taliban leadership bears responsibility for preventing such attacks and must formally apologize to the Tajik people, as well as take effective measures to curb terrorist threats.
This incident follows a previous attack near the Tajik border from Afghan soil that resulted in the deaths of five Chinese citizens. The Taliban administration confirmed that attack and announced the initiation of an investigation. The recurrence of such events has raised questions and concerns about the Taliban’s capability and willingness to secure the borders and prevent the use of Afghan territory for cross-border attacks.
