Taliban Arrest 2 Suspects over Border Drone Attacks in Badakhshan

DID Press: Taliban government arrested two individuals in Badakhshan province on suspicion of involvement in recent deadly cross-border attacks from Afghanistan territory. The assaults, carried out with drones and grenade launched, killed five Chinese nationals and injured five others in Tajikistan, drawing strong regional reactions.

Ehsanullah Kamgar, spokesperson for the Taliban police in Badakhshan, confirmed the arrests in the Maimay district but did not provide further details about the suspects’ identities.

Tajik authorities had previously reported that the attacks involved drone strikes and grenades near the Afghan-Tajik border. Reuters reported that three Chinese citizens were targeted by an unmanned aerial vehicle originating from Afghanistan soil.

The Chinese embassy in Dushanbe confirmed the attacks and urged all Chinese nationals to immediately leave border areas with Afghanistan. In the past week, five Chinese citizens were killed and five others injured in these incidents.

Tajik President Emomali Rahmon described the actions as “illegal and provocative” and ordered an immediate strengthening of border security. China’s Foreign Ministry called for a swift and transparent investigation, emphasizing the protection of its citizens abroad as a top priority. Pakistan condemned the attacks as “regrettable” and stressed the need for regional cooperation against cross-border threats.

The Taliban Foreign Ministry also condemned the incident, attributing responsibility to groups seeking to create chaos and instability in the region. The events have not only complicated Taliban-Tajik relations but also raised Chinese concerns over the security of investments and Belt and Road Initiative projects in Central Asia.