An armed clash occurred on the border between Tajikistan and Afghanistan between Tajik border guards and three “terrorists who had entered the country from Afghanistan,” Tajikistan’s state news agency Khovar reported, citing a statement from the press service of the country’s border troops. According to the local bureau of Radio Liberty, the shootout involved Afghan smugglers.
“The terrorists failed to comply with the order of Tajik border guards to surrender and offered armed resistance. They intended to carry out an armed attack on one of the border posts,” the press service of the Tajik border troops said.
All three Afghan militants were killed in the shootout, along with two Tajik border guards. The Afghans were found to be carrying three M-16 rifles, a Kalashnikov assault rifle, three pistols with suppressors, 10 hand grenades, a night-vision sight, explosives, and other ammunition.
According to Tajikistan’s border service, militants from Afghanistan have opened fire at the border for the third time in the past month. In late November, the country was shelled twice from Afghan territory. As a result, five Chinese citizens were killed and another five were wounded.