Three Chinese Nationals Killed in Cross-Border Drone Attack on Tajik-Afghan Frontier: Dushanbe Calls for Probe

Deadly Drone Attack Claims Three Chinese Lives on Tajik-Afghan Border

A recent cross-border incident has resulted in the deaths of three Chinese nationals in Tajikistan, near its shared frontier with Afghanistan. The attack, which also left another Chinese citizen injured, took place on Wednesday evening in Tajikistan's southwestern Khatlon province.

Details Emerge from Dushanbe

China's embassy in Dushanbe confirmed the fatalities on Friday, issuing a strong advisory for its citizens in the volatile border region to evacuate immediately due to heightened security risks. While the embassy did not attribute blame, it stressed that Beijing has formally requested Tajikistan to launch a comprehensive investigation into the incident.

Drone Strike from Afghanistan Confirmed

Tajikistan's foreign ministry provided further insights in its own statement on Thursday. The ministry confirmed that the assault was perpetrated from Afghanistan using an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) equipped with grenades. The target was specifically employees of the company LLC Shahin SM, and all three deceased individuals were identified as staff members of this firm.

Kabul's Silence and Regional Implications

As of the latest reports, the administration in Kabul has remained silent, offering no immediate comment or response regarding the serious cross-border aggression. This incident highlights the complex and persistent security challenges along the Central Asian borderlands, underscoring the potential for significant international implications stemming from such incursions.