DUSHANBE: Tajikistan authorities on Sunday said they had “neutralised” four militants who crossed over from Afghanistan, amid rising border tensions in the region, state media reported. The incident occurred in the southern Khatlon region, where deadly clashes have increased over recent weeks.
Read More: Tajikistan says 5 killed in armed clash on border with Afghanistan
According to the Tajik security services, cited by the state-owned Khovar news agency, the four individuals refused to lay down their arms and were killed in the confrontation. The mountainous Tajik-Afghan border, stretching roughly 1,350 kilometres, has seen at least five violent incidents since November 2025.
پڑوسی ملک افـغـانـسـتان کی سرحد سے داخل ہونے والے چار دہـشـت گـردوں کو ہلاک کردیا گیا – تاجکستان pic.twitter.com/KMHCbhQxB7
— KPDiary ( پختونخواہ ڈائری) (@KPDiary9) January 19, 2026
An AFP tally of official data found that 16 people have died along the border during this period, including Tajik border guards, Chinese workers, and individuals described by Dushanbe as “smugglers” and “terrorists.” Tajik authorities have expressed growing concern over drug traffickers and militant groups operating in the area.
In November, attacks on Chinese nationals prompted Dushanbe to urge the Taliban government in Kabul to take action to stabilise the border. In December, five people were killed in a clash, which included three militants and two Tajik border officers, according to state media.
Tajikistan has also raised alarms about the presence of Islamic State in Khorasan (ISIS-K) members in Afghanistan, highlighting the cross-border security risks. Officials have reiterated their commitment to defending the nation’s sovereignty and preventing infiltration by armed groups.
Read More: Tajikistan reports deadly cross-border attacks from Afghanistan
The government’s response underscores rising security challenges in Central Asia, where mountainous terrain and porous borders make countering militants and smuggling operations increasingly complex. Tajikistan has maintained a heavy military presence in the border regions to deter further incursions.