Tensions rise again at the Tajik-Afghan border

An armed attack occurred on the Tajik-Afghan border, resulting in fatalities.

The press service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Tajikistan reported that on the night of November 26, 2025, an armed attack was carried out from the territory of Afghanistan against employees of “Shokhin SM” in the border area of Shamsiddin Shohina in the Khatlon region.

The attack was carried out using firearms and a drone loaded with grenades. As a result, three Chinese citizens, employees of “Shokhin SM,” were killed. There is no information about the wounded.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Tajikistan expressed deep concern and strongly condemned the attack, calling on the current authorities of Afghanistan to take effective measures to ensure stability and security along the state border of the two neighboring countries.

It is still unclear who is behind this attack. No armed group has claimed responsibility for the attack so far.

The Ministry emphasized that “despite the consistent efforts of the Tajik side to maintain security and create an atmosphere of mutually beneficial cooperation in the border areas of Tajikistan and Afghanistan, criminal groups located on the territory of the neighboring country continue to commit acts aimed at destabilizing the situation in the border areas.”

In November 2024, an attack was also carried out against Chinese and Tajik citizens by armed individuals from across the border. At that time, one Chinese citizen was killed and five others were injured.

The Taliban government in Afghanistan has not yet commented on this attack.

However, the Ministry of Interior of Afghanistan stated in an official announcement on November 27 that a Taliban delegation led by the governor of Badakhshan province and Mawlavi commander of the border unit Abdulmannon Hasan visited the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region of Tajikistan. There, they held a series of meetings, including with the chairman of GBAO Alisher Mirzonabot, where they discussed cooperation in border security. The Tajik side has not publicly commented on this meeting as usual.

The negotiations of the Afghan delegation with the authorities of Tajikistan are taking place against the backdrop of increased armed clashes on the Tajik-Afghan border in recent months, resulting in fatalities.

The clashes are occurring due to changes in the course of the Amu Darya River (Pyanj) in the area of gold mining projects involving Afghan and Chinese mining companies. Additionally, during this period, Tajik authorities reported more than ten cases of illegal border crossings by Afghan smugglers and the elimination of violators.

With the increase in armed clashes at the border, there has been a rise in contacts between officials of Tajikistan and Afghanistan. Delegations from both countries are increasingly making mutual visits, with border issues and drug trafficking remaining the main agenda.

It is worth noting that on November 17, 2025, a delegation of 14 Tajik officials arrived in Kabul for meetings with representatives of the Taliban. The delegation included representatives from the Border Troops, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the State National Security Committee, representatives of the executive authority, and other representatives of the law enforcement agencies of Tajikistan. The delegation held a meeting with Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi and the Minister for Borders, Tribes, and Nationalities Nurullo Nuri.

At this meeting, the first deputy of the Tajik Border Troops Committee Abdulvokhid Mirzozoda stated that the peoples of both sides want to live in safety, and existing border issues should be resolved through mutual understanding and negotiations.

During the meeting, Taliban representative Nurullo Nuri stated that they are fighting against drug trafficking and human trafficking, and that ensuring stability at the Tajik-Afghan border is a key factor for the security of both countries.

However, it seems that these negotiations have not yet yielded results.