Smugglers eliminated at the border with Afghanistan using a “Tajik drone”

The State Committee for National Security of Tajikistan reported the elimination of two Afghan drug couriers.

According to state television, on the night of November 20 of this year, the Border Forces of the SCNS, with the help of “domestically produced drones,” struck at seven smugglers. It is reported that the smugglers had already crossed the Tajik-Afghan state border when they were attacked on the territory of the Hamadoni district using a combat drone.

As a result of the strike, two smugglers were killed. They were identified as Sherogo valadi Avvalmira and Jumagula valadi Hakima, both natives of the Darkad district in Takhar province.

Nothing is known about the fate of the other five smugglers. At the scene, five bags containing 116 packages of drugs were discovered and confiscated.

This is the first instance in which the SCNS reports the use of “domestically produced drones.” However, it is unknown when and by which company these drones were manufactured, as the country’s authorities have not previously disclosed such information.

Over the past year, the flow of drug trafficking and the number of armed clashes at the Tajik-Afghan border have increased.

In the first half of 2025, 10 armed clashes between Tajik border guards and Afghan smugglers were recorded at the Tajik-Afghan border.

The authorities of Tajikistan identify the territory of Afghanistan as the main source of drug smuggling into Tajikistan. According to officials, this year alone, Tajik border guards have seized 1.7 tons of drugs in the border areas with Afghanistan, which accounts for 54.4% of the total volume of drugs seized in the country.

The elimination of drug couriers by drone occurs against the backdrop of a recent visit by a delegation of 14 Tajik officials to Kabul for meetings with representatives of the Taliban. The delegation included representatives from the Border Forces, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the SCNS, representatives of the executive authority, and other security officials from Tajikistan. The delegation met with Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi and Minister for Borders, Tribes, and Nationalities Nurullo Nuri. 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.