Who is Behind the Attacks on Tajikistan?

The Taliban have assured Tajikistan of its readiness to cooperate in identifying those responsible for the incident, exchanging information, and conducting a joint investigation.

By IAR Desk
Dushanbe: 1 Dec.2025: Tajikistan’s State Committee for National Security (GKNB) called on the Taliban to apprehend those responsible for the attack and murder of Chinese citizens on the Tajik border.
In a statement released today, the GKNB stated that at approximately 6:45 PM on November 30, “members of an armed terrorist group from the village of Ruzvayak in Mohi Mai district, Badakhshan province, Afghanistan, carried out an armed attack on employees of the road construction company China Road and Bridge Corporation in the village of Shodaki in Vishkharv jamoat, Darvaz district, Tajikistan.
As a result of the attack, two Chinese citizens were killed and two more were injured.
The GKNB stated that the Tajik side, “expressing deep concern, strongly condemns these brutal actions by criminal groups and calls on the current Afghan authorities to take effective and timely measures to ensure security and stability along the state border between the two countries and to apprehend those involved in these actions.”
The agency reported that Tajikistan is taking additional measures to strengthen the state border and ensure the security of its citizens and citizens of foreign countries. The specific measures being taken were not specified.
At the same time, the State Committee for National Security added that the situation at the border is currently calm and under the control of competent Tajik authorities, and that the investigation into the recent incidents is ongoing by law enforcement agencies.
So, what exactly happened in the Afghan -Tajik border last week?
Afghanistan Condemns Attacks
The first attack occurred on the night of November 26. Three Chinese citizens were killed in an armed attack from Afghanistan on the Shokhin SM LLC employee base in the Shamsiddini Shokhin district.
The second attack occurred on the night of December 1 in the village of Shodaki, Vishkharv jamoat, Darvaz district, GBAO. Two Chinese road construction workers were killed.
The Afghan Foreign Ministry has strongly condemned these attacks and stated that it is ready to cooperate to identify those responsible for the attack, exchange information, and conduct a joint investigation into the incident.
The Taliban government’s Foreign Ministry responded to the deadly attack from Afghanistan into Tajikistan, which killed three Chinese citizens. According to Afghan media reports, the Taliban Foreign Ministry condemned the attack on Chinese workers in Tajikistan and expressed condolences to Tajikistan and China over the deaths of the three people.
The Taliban believes the attack was carried out by groups aiming to “create tension and mistrust between countries in the region.” However, the Taliban did not specifically name any group.
The Foreign Ministry assured Tajikistan of its readiness to cooperate in identifying those responsible for the incident, exchanging information, and conducting a joint investigation.
Pakistan ‘s Response
Pakistan also immediately condemned these attacks. Muhammad Sadiq, Pakistan’s special representative for Afghanistan, in a post on his social media page, called the attack “cowardly,” “terrorist,” and a “serious threat” emanating from Afghanistan.
He stated that the use of armed drones in this incident demonstrates the “level of threat” and “the courage of the perpetrators” operating from Afghan territory.
Muhammad Sadiq added that Pakistan, “as a neighbor that has repeatedly become a victim of terrorist attacks orchestrated from Afghanistan,” understands the pain and suffering of Tajikistan and China and “shares their grief.”
Pakistan has been embroiled in an increasingly escalating conflict with the Taliban over the past few months. It has accused the Taliban of abetting the Tehreek I Taliban Pakistan or the Pakistan Taliban which has been waging attacks on the Pakistani state for the establishment of sharia law in the country. The Afghan Taliban has rejected these allegations, accusing Islamabad, instead, of allowing American led drone attacks on Afghanistan from Pakistan ‘s territory.
A couple of rounds of negotiations in Doha, Istanbul, and now most recently in Riyadh, have not yielded any ceasefire.
The China Factor

China is a major investor in mining and infrastructure projects in Tajikistan, and some Chinese companies operate in mountainous areas near the Afghan border. This is not the first time Chinese citizens have suffered in attacks emanating from Afghan territory. According to Afghan media reports, one Chinese citizen was killed in a similar attack in the area last year.

Tajikistan has repeatedly warned of increased security threats along its borders since the Taliban’s return to power in 2021.

While Dushanbe officials claim they have no direct relations with the Taliban, reports of bilateral meetings and consultations, which have recently become more frequent, fuel speculation about Tajikistan’s softening policy toward the Taliban.

In recent months, media outlets have repeatedly reported on mutual visits between diplomatic and security officials from both sides. However, Tajik authorities have not officially commented on any of these visits or meetings.

About The Author

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *