A deadly cross-border attack from Afghanistan has claimed the lives of three Chinese workers in southern Tajikistan, raising new concerns about growing insecurity along the rugged frontier. The incident occurred near the Tajikistan-Afghanistan border, an area where extremist groups have increasingly sought to exploit the unstable situation inside Afghanistan.
Officials reported that the Chinese workers were targeted in a coordinated assault involving gunfire and a drone carrying grenades. The victims were employed by a Chinese company operating in a remote mining region of southern Tajikistan. Authorities believe the attack was launched from across the border, adding to fears that violence from Afghanistan is spilling into neighboring countries.
Tajikistan has faced rising tensions along its 1,350-kilometer border with Afghanistan, especially since the Taliban takeover in 2021. The Central Asian nation has reported several clashes in recent months as extremist movements remain active in the mountainous frontier. While the Tajik foreign ministry confirmed the attack, it did not name any suspects, reflecting the complex security situation in the region.
President Emomali Rakhmon has repeatedly expressed concern about extremism emerging from Afghanistan. He has urged the Taliban leadership to respect the rights of ethnic Tajiks, who make up nearly 25 percent of Afghanistan’s population of 40 million. Despite his criticism, Tajikistan continues limited engagement with Kabul through diplomatic talks, electricity supply agreements, and small-scale trade in border towns.
Chinese companies have invested heavily in Tajikistan’s natural resources sector, often operating in remote areas close to the Afghan border. The latest attack has raised serious questions about the safety of foreign workers. Last year, another Chinese employee was killed in a similar incident near the same frontier, highlighting the persistent threat in the region.
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Tajik authorities are now under pressure to strengthen border security as the violence linked to Afghanistan continues to endanger regional stability and foreign investments.
