Tajikistan in talks with Russia over joint patrols along Afghan border, sources say

Tajikistan is in discussions with Russia and a Moscow-led regional security alliance over the possible deployment of Russian troops to help patrol its volatile border with Afghanistan, three Tajik security sources told Reuters.

The talks come amid heightened security concerns after five Chinese citizens were killed and another five wounded near the border within the past week in attacks launched from Afghan territory. Tajik President Emomali Rahmon convened a meeting with the heads of his security agencies on December 1 to review the situation, while China has urged its nationals—many involved in mining and business ventures—to urgently evacuate the border region.

One of the sources, from Tajikistan’s Security Council, said authorities were in discussions with Moscow about deploying troops from Russia’s military base in Tajikistan—the largest Russian military installation abroad—to conduct joint patrols along the frontier.

"We are currently in talks. I think a decision will be made... this week," the source said.

Two additional sources, from the State Committee for National Security, confirmed the negotiations and said that, if an agreement is reached, Russia would support patrols along the 1,344-kilometre (835-mile) mountainous border by deploying helicopters.

The defence ministries of both Tajikistan and Russia declined to comment on the ongoing talks. The Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO), the Moscow-led security bloc that the sources said is also involved in discussions, did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The Taliban authorities in Afghanistan have said they will cooperate with Tajikistan on border security issues.

Until the early 2000s, Russian forces stationed in Tajikistan—including border troops—were responsible for guarding the Tajik-Afghan frontier. Tajikistan has maintained independent border control since 2005.

By Vafa Guliyeva