An armed clash along the Tajikistan-Afghanistan border has left five people dead, according to Tajik state media, heightening concerns over security along the volatile frontier.
Read More: Tajikistan reports deadly cross-border attacks from Afghanistan
Tajikistan’s state news agency Khovar, citing the Border Troops of the State Committee for National Security, reported that three armed individuals crossed into Tajik territory late on Tuesday in the Shamsiddin Shohin district of the southwestern Khatlon region. The intruders were traced and confronted by Tajik border guards on Wednesday.
According to the official statement, the suspects refused to comply with orders to surrender and opened fire on security forces. Tajik authorities described the group as “terrorists” who were allegedly planning an armed attack on a border post. During the ensuing exchange of fire, all three intruders were killed. Two Tajik border guards also lost their lives in the clash.
🇹🇯🇦🇫 Armed Clash on #Afghanistan–#Tajikistan Border Leaves Two Tajik Border Guards Dead.
Local sources in northeastern Afghanistan report that two Tajik border guards were killed following gunfire originating from Afghan territory.
The incident was confirmed on Wednesday, 24… pic.twitter.com/BhQ8rr2MlQ
— News.Az (@news_az) December 25, 2025
Tajik border guards neutralized three militants who crossed illegally from #Afghanistan and resisted arrest. Weapons and explosives were seized. Two border guards were killed. Authorities say the border situation is now calm. #Tajikistan #BorderSecurity #BreakingNews pic.twitter.com/mD5gUtMU19
— The Caspian Post (@thecaspianpost) December 25, 2025
The statement said the incident marked the third case of an “armed attack, terrorist act, or illegal border crossing” from Afghanistan into Tajikistan over the past month, underscoring what officials described as a growing security challenge along the border.
Tajik authorities accused the Afghan administration of failing to uphold its international obligations to maintain stability along the shared frontier. The statement expressed hope that Kabul would issue an apology to the people of Tajikistan and take additional measures to prevent further cross-border incidents.
Afghan officials did not immediately comment on the allegations.
Earlier this month, Tajikistan reported that five people were killed and five others wounded in two separate cross-border attacks originating from Afghan territory, further raising alarm in Dushanbe.
In response to the rising security concerns, President Emomali Rahmon on Wednesday inaugurated four new border outposts and a tank training range at the Harb-Maidon training ground near the Afghan border.
Read More: Taliban still in control of Tajikistan border crossing: Afghan officials
The move is part of broader efforts to strengthen border defences and improve the readiness of Tajik security forces amid fears of militant infiltration and instability spilling over from Afghanistan.