Key Points
- Three alleged terrorists killed after crossing from Afghanistan into Tajikistan
- Two Tajik border guards were also killed during the clash
- Incident occurred in the Shamsiddin Shohin district near the Afghan border
- Tajikistan says this was the third such attack in the past month
ISLAMABAD: Tajikistan says five people were killed in an armed clash along its border with Afghanistan, heightening concerns over security in the volatile frontier region.
According to Tajik state media, the incident took place late Tuesday in the Shamsiddin Shohin district of the southwestern Khatlon region. A statement issued by the Border Troops of the State Committee for National Security said three individuals crossed into Tajik territory from Afghanistan and were tracked down the following day.
The statement said the men ignored orders to surrender and opened fire on Tajik border forces. It is alleged that they intended to attack one of the border posts in the area.
“All three terrorists were neutralised as a result of the combat operation,” the statement said, adding that two Tajik border officers were killed during the exchange of fire.
Tajik authorities said the latest incident marked the third armed attack, attempted terrorist act, or illegal border crossing from Afghanistan over the past month.
The statement also accused the Afghan administration of failing to meet its international obligations to ensure border security and stability. It urged Afghan authorities to issue an apology and take additional effective measures to prevent future incidents.
There was no immediate response from Afghan officials.
Earlier this month, Tajikistan reported that five people were killed and another five injured in two separate cross-border attacks originating from Afghan territory.
The development comes amid stepped-up security measures along the frontier. On Wednesday, President Emomali Rahmon inaugurated four new border outposts and a tank training range at the Harb-Maidon training ground near the Afghan border, part of efforts to strengthen defences against rising cross-border threats.
