GENEVA (HRNW): Authorities in Tajikistan confirmed Thursday that three Chinese workers were killed when a drone attack was launched from Afghan territory near the shared border. The incident marks a new escalation in ongoing tensions between Tajikistan and Afghanistan’s Taliban rulers.
Attack Launched via Grenade-Equipped UAV
In an official statement, Tajikistan reported that the strike occurred on the night of November 26, 2025 at a workers’ camp operated by LLC Shohin SM. The camp was located near the Istiqlol Border Guard Post in the Khatlon region.
Officials said the assault was carried out using an unmanned aerial vehicle equipped with grenades and firearms, killing three Chinese employees instantly.
Tajikistan Condemns ‘Terrorist Actions’
The government condemned the attack, saying criminal groups operating from Afghan territory continue to destabilize the border region despite Tajikistan’s efforts to maintain peace.
Tajik authorities urged Afghanistan’s leadership to “take effective measures” to restore border security, emphasizing that such cross-border actions are unacceptable.
Militant Activity on the Rise
According to AFP, militant groups remain active across the rugged 1,350-kilometer border shared by the two countries. Tajikistan—a Muslim-majority nation and one of Central Asia’s poorest—has voiced growing concern over extremist spillover since the Taliban regained power in 2021.
President Emomali Rakhmon has openly criticized the Taliban and urged them to respect the rights of ethnic Tajiks, who make up roughly 25% of Afghanistan’s population.
Chinese Companies Active in Border Regions
China operates several mining and resource extraction projects in Tajikistan, many located in mountain areas near Afghanistan.
A similar attack last year claimed the life of another Chinese worker, raising renewed questions about security risks for foreign companies in the region.
