Web desk: Three Chinese workers were killed in southern Tajikistan following a cross-border attack launched from Afghanistan, Tajik authorities confirmed on Thursday.
The assault targeted employees of a Chinese company operating near the remote border and involved both firearms and a drone carrying grenades.
“The attack, carried out with firearms and a drone loaded with grenades, claimed the lives of three Chinese employees,” said a statement from the Tajik foreign ministry.
The ministry added that criminal groups based in neighbouring Afghanistan continue to carry out acts aimed at destabilising the border regions.
Militants frequently operate across the rugged 1,350-kilometre frontier separating Tajikistan from Afghanistan, reports say.
Tensions between Dushanbe and the Taliban-led government in Kabul have remained high since the Taliban returned to power in 2021.
President Emomali Rahmon, in power since 1992, has repeatedly criticised the Taliban and urged them to respect the rights of ethnic Tajiks, who make up an estimated quarter of Afghanistan’s 40 million population, reportedly.
Several Chinese companies operate in Tajikistan, particularly in the mining and natural resource sectors, often in sensitive border regions.
A similar attack last year near the Afghan border resulted in the death of one Chinese worker, raising ongoing concerns over the safety of foreign investors.
Many Chinese companies work in Tajikistan’s remote mining and natural resource sectors, often in areas near sensitive border regions.
A similar attack last year near the Afghan border killed one Chinese worker, heightening concerns about the safety of foreign investors.
