Shooting erupts on Tajikistan-Afghanistan border, casualties on both sides
Shooting breaks out on Tajikistan-Afghanistan border (photo: Getty Images)
The Border Service of Tajikistan reported a combat clash on the border with Afghanistan that left at least five people dead, according to Khovar news agency.
It is noted that on the night of December 24, three members of a terrorist organization crossed the state border from Afghanistan and entered Tajikistan near a checkpoint in the Shamsiddin district.
After Tajik border guards located the militants, a firefight broke out. As a result, all three Afghans were killed, as well as two servicemen of the border troops. In its statement, the Border Service accuses the Taliban government of being unable to ensure security along the state border.
According to the agency, this is already the third incident this month in which militants from Afghanistan attacked Tajik territory, resulting in fatalities.
What preceded
The conflict between Tajikistan and Afghanistan is mainly of a border nature, related to illegal border crossings, drug trafficking, as well as infiltration by militants and terrorist groups, which periodically leads to armed clashes.
The situation is complicated by instability in Afghanistan following the Taliban's rise to power and threats to the security of Chinese workers, although both sides seek dialogue.
Earlier, Tajik President Emomali Rahmon stated that it is necessary to create a security belt around Afghanistan to prevent the potential expansion of terrorist groups.
In response, a Taliban official said that the Taliban had sent thousands of fighters to Afghanistan's Takhar province on the border with Tajikistan to counter security threats.
