Afghanistan on Friday voiced deep regret and condemned a cross-border attack into Tajikistan that left three Chinese workers dead and another injured, promising full cooperation with Dushanbe in the investigation.
Foreign Ministry deputy spokesman Hafiz Zia Ahmad Takal said early findings suggested the attackers aimed to stir instability and distrust among regional countries. He said Afghanistan was ready to share information, offer technical support and conduct a joint assessment to determine the cause of the incident.
Tajikistan’s Foreign Ministry said the attack occurred late Wednesday and was launched from inside Afghanistan using a drone armed with grenades and firearms. The ministry said criminal groups operating across the border continued to disrupt efforts to maintain security and stability despite Tajikistan’s attempts to safeguard the frontier. It urged Afghan authorities to tighten security along the shared border.
The Chinese Embassy in Tajikistan asked Chinese nationals to avoid working or investing in the border region and advised those already there to leave immediately.
Ties between Tajikistan and Afghanistan have long been tense, particularly after the Taliban seized power in 2021, prompting Tajikistan to sever relations. However, relations have shown signs of improvement. Border markets reopened in 2023, and a Tajik delegation visited Kabul earlier this month.