ISLAMABAD: In a tragic incident underscoring escalating border tensions,three Chinese nationals employed by a construction company were killed insouthern Tajikistan during an assault involving a drone and firearms. Theattack, which occurred late on November 26, targeted a workers’ camp in theKhatlon region near the Afghan border. Tajikistan’s Ministry of ForeignAffairs promptly attributed the aggression to criminal elements operatingfrom Afghan territory, highlighting the use of an unmanned aerial vehicleequipped with grenades alongside ground-based gunfire.
The victims were staff members of LLC Shohin SM, a Chinese firm engaged ininfrastructure projects in the area. Eyewitness accounts and preliminaryinvestigations indicate the drone strike caused immediate fatalities, withno injuries reported among other personnel. This event marks a concerningescalation in cross-border incidents, following a similar attack inNovember 2024 that claimed the life of another Chinese worker in the samevicinity. Tajik authorities have condemned the assault as a deliberateattempt to destabilize regional stability and have called upon Afghanofficials to bolster security measures along the shared frontier.
In response, the Tajik government has initiated a thorough probe into theorigins and perpetrators of the attack, emphasizing the need forinternational cooperation to curb such threats. No organization has yetclaimed responsibility, leaving speculation rife about potentialinvolvement of militant groups active in Afghanistan. The incident hasprompted heightened vigilance among foreign workers in Central Asia, whereChinese investments in Belt and Road Initiative projects have increasinglybecome targets amid geopolitical frictions.
Diplomatic channels between Dushanbe and Kabul remain strained, withTajikistan urging immediate action to prevent future incursions. Analystssuggest this could strain bilateral relations further, potentiallyimpacting regional trade and security pacts. The Chinese embassy inTajikistan has expressed profound sorrow over the loss and demanded swiftjustice, while reinforcing safety protocols for its citizens abroad. Asinvestigations proceed, the international community watches closely,advocating for dialogue to avert a broader conflict in this volatile borderzone.
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This assault not only highlights vulnerabilities in remote project sitesbut also raises questions about the efficacy of current border patrols.Tajik forces have reportedly intensified surveillance in the affected area,deploying additional resources to deter similar threats. Meanwhile, Afghanauthorities have yet to issue an official statement, fueling uncertaintiesabout their capacity to control extremist activities within their borders.The event serves as a stark reminder of the persistent challenges infostering peace and economic collaboration across Central Asian nations.Source:www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/three-chinese-workers-killed-drone-attack-tajikistan-2025-11-27/”>https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/three-chinese-workers-killed-drone-attack-tajikistan-2025-11-27/