Tajikistan Says Four Militants Killed After Crossing From Afghanistan

Tajikistan’s security forces killed four suspected militants near the Afghan border after they crossed illegally and resisted arrest, officials said, amid heightened tensions along the frontier, Khaama Press reported. The incident took place in the mountainous Badakhshan region, where authorities said the group was detected shortly after entering Tajik territory from Afghanistan.

State media reported that border guards moved to detain the men after identifying their location near Darbandak village in Afghanistan’s Khwahan district. Officials said the suspects ignored orders to surrender and opened armed resistance, triggering a security operation that ended with all four being killed. Weapons and military equipment were recovered, though no details were provided.

Officials said border security remains fully under control and warned that any armed infiltration or illegal crossing would face firm action. Tajikistan shares a long and porous border with Afghanistan that has long posed security challenges. Since the Taliban’s 2021 takeover, Dushanbe has voiced concern over militant activity, following recent deadly border incidents.