Another clash on the border with Afghanistan

Two Afghan citizens were killed as a result of a shootout at the Tajik-Afghan border.

State media report that officers from the Operational Group of the State National Security Committee for the Khatlon region, together with soldiers from Border Post No. 5 of the Khirmandjo unit of the Border Troops of the State National Security Committee of Tajikistan, prevented an attempt to smuggle drugs from Afghanistan.

It is reported that during the operation, Afghan smugglers did not comply with the security forces’ order to surrender voluntarily and opened fire with firearms.

In return fire, Tajik security forces neutralized the leader of the smuggler group, Azarkhon valadi Saidumara, and group member Azizi Rozmukhammad, approximately 30 years old, both natives of the Kaji Kariya area of the Khokhon district in Badakhshan province, Afghanistan. Other group members fled towards Afghanistan.

At the scene, 57.515 kg of opium, 960 grams of amphetamine, totaling 58 kg 475 grams of seized drugs, were discovered and confiscated. Security forces also seized 2 Kalashnikov rifles with magazines and 17 rounds, 1 night vision device, and 1 rubber boat.

In connection with this incident, the investigative department of the GKNB for the Khatlon region has initiated a criminal case under part 2 of article 195, paragraph “d” of part 4 of article 200, part 3 of article 289, and part 2 of article 335 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Tajikistan, and an investigation is underway.

The Rapid Response Group of the GKNB in the Khatlon region has initiated a criminal case under articles 200 part 4 paragraph “d”, 289 part 3, 335 part 2, and 195 part 2, paragraph “b” of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Tajikistan, and preliminary investigations are ongoing.

It is reported that in the last ten days, this is the second time that clashes have occurred between Tajik border forces and Afghan smugglers. Previously, in the border area near the Sayrobi village of the Panjobi district in the Mir Said Ali Hamadoni district, Tajik border forces killed the leader of a smuggling group, Mahmadhoshim valadi Mirakbar, a 50-year-old resident of the Navobodi village in the Yangi Qala district of Takhar province, Afghanistan, seizing 71 kg 929 grams of hashish, one AK-74 Kalashnikov rifle, three magazines, and 87 rounds of 7.62 mm caliber ammunition.

It should be noted that Afghan authorities, namely the Taliban, have not yet responded to these reports.

In the past, Tajikistan has repeatedly complained that narcotics are widely smuggled by the neighboring country. However, the Taliban accuses neighboring countries of also significantly contributing to the smuggling of these substances.