Armed clash on Tajik-Afghan border leaves three smugglers dead

An armed confrontation erupted on the Tajik-Afghan border, involving a group of smugglers attempting to illegally cross into Tajikistan.

Border Forces of the State Committee for National Security of Tajikistan reported that at approximately 19:30, five Afghan citizens crossed the state border near the Bakhоrak border post in the Shamsiddin Shohin district, Caliber.Az reports, citing local media.

Border forces identified the intruders’ route and moved to intercept them. When the troops demanded that the group halt, the intruders opened fire and attempted to retreat toward Afghanistan. In the ensuing exchange, three of the intruders were neutralized on the spot.

The State Committee confirmed the identities of the deceased as Jovid Valadi Davlatmand, Rashid Valadi Davlatmand, and Sobir Valadi Zohir, all residents of Takhar province. The remaining two crossed back into Afghanistan under cover of darkness.

Authorities recovered several items at the scene, including three Kalashnikov rifles with magazines, 150 rounds of ammunition of various calibers, a large number of shell casings, four sacks containing 73 packages of drugs (hashish and opium), a boat used to cross the Panj River.

The Border Troops emphasized that they are taking all necessary measures to secure the state border. The incident is under investigation, and authorities maintain that the situation remains under control.

By Vafa Guliyeva