Two Afghans killed in clash with Tajik border guards

**Two Afghan Smugglers Killed on Tajik Border**

Two Afghans were killed in an armed clash on the Tajik-Afghan border. Asia Plus reported this with reference to the State National Security Committee of Tajikistan. According to the committee, the deceased had illegally crossed the border and were involved in drug smuggling.

The incident occurred in the border area of Fathabad, Panj rural settlement, Jaihun district. The two citizens, born in the village of Barzangi, Imam Sahib district, Takhar region, Afghanistan, illegally entered the territory of Tajikistan.

Security forces demanded that the violators surrender, but they did not obey this demand and offered armed resistance. As a result, a special operation was conducted and two Afghan smugglers were killed. The committee's statement did not specify the exact date of the clash.

A Kalashnikov assault rifle, a Makarov pistol, two backpacks with 17 kilograms of hashish and other items were found and confiscated at the scene.

A criminal case has been opened on several charges, including illegal trafficking in large quantities of drugs, smuggling, organizing illegal migration, and illegal possession of firearms. Investigations are currently ongoing. The Taliban's position on the incident is not yet known.

According to the Drug Control Agency of Tajikistan, 17 Afghan citizens were killed in seven armed clashes with Afghan smugglers in the first six months of 2026. During this period, 601 kilograms of drugs were seized from 18 citizens of a neighboring country.

In the first half of the year, a total of 1,513 kilograms of narcotics were seized on the border between Tajikistan and Afghanistan. This is 179 kilograms less than in the same period in 2025. Earlier, Tajikistan sent a note to Afghanistan accusing it of violating its airspace.