Four armed men who crossed from Afghanistan into Tajikistan were killed during a clash with Tajik border guards, according to Tajikistan’s National Security Committee. The incident happened overnight near a village close to Afghanistan’s Badakhshan province and was the second violent event on the border since November’2025. Tajik officials said the men ignored orders to surrender, resisted arrest, and were killed in the fight. They described the men as members of a terrorist group but gave no further details. Afghan officials disagreed and said the men were smugglers, possibly involved in drug trafficking. Afghan spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said investigations were ongoing and noted that smuggling has long been a problem in the area. A local Afghan police spokesman said three smugglers were killed. Tensions are high after a November attack from Afghanistan into Tajikistan that killed three Chinese workers. Although relations worsened after the Taliban takeover in 2021, recent visits and reopened border markets suggest slow improvement.

Pray for wise counsel and unity among the authorities of Tajikistan and Afghanistan to find a peaceful solution to end the rising tensions and border clashes between them. Pray for divine peace to prevail in the Tajik-Afghan border areas (The Holy Bible, Psalm 46:9).

Pray for peaceful and friendly relations between Tajikistan and Afghanistan. Pray for divine protection upon innocent civilians living in the Tajik-Afghan border areas (The Holy Bible, Proverbs 24:6).

News Source: AP News

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