According to Afghan news agencies, a representative of the Taliban government announced the detention of two suspects in the murder of Chinese citizens in border areas of Tajikistan. The Taliban spokesperson in Afghanistan's Badakhshan, Ehsanullah Komgora, specified that the detentions took place in the Maihmay district. The names of the detainees have not been disclosed at this time.
The attack on employees of a Chinese road construction company occurred on November 30 in the village of Shodaki in the Darvaz district, resulting in the deaths of two Chinese citizens and injuries to two others.
This incident marked the second attack in a week related to assaults on Chinese citizens from Afghanistan. According to official reports, a total of five people have died, and another five have been injured.
Following the tragic event, the Chinese embassy in Dushanbe urged Tajik authorities to take measures to enhance the security of Chinese companies and their employees.
In light of these events, on December 1, Tajikistan's President Emomali Rahmon held a meeting with security officials, condemning the attacks and instructing to strengthen border security to prevent the recurrence of such incidents.
The foreign ministers of Tajikistan and the Taliban held a phone conversation in the wake of recent attacks on Chinese citizens in the border areas of the country. During the attacks, which occurred from Afghan territory, five people were killed, and another five were injured.
In a statement from the Taliban's foreign ministry on December 2, it was noted that Amir Khan Muttaqi and Sirajuddin Muhriddin discussed security issues, cooperation between border services, and joint meetings of relevant committees. The Tajik side has not yet made any official comments regarding this conversation.
In an official statement, Muttaqi emphasized that there is growing trust and cooperation between the two countries in political, economic, and defense areas; however, "some forces seek to undermine this process." The document does not specify particular groups or organizations that may be involved in destabilization.
Additionally, the Taliban's Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed the readiness of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan to cooperate with Dushanbe in investigating the murders of Chinese citizens on Tajik territory. The Taliban also reported the Tajik side's interest in improving coordination and ensuring security at the state border.
This high-level contact between Tajikistan's diplomacy and the ruling authority of the Taliban is the first since the latter came to power in Afghanistan four years ago.
In the past week, there have been two incidents in the border areas of Tajikistan involving attacks on Chinese citizens who were working at a gold washing factory in the Shamsiddin Shohina district and at road construction company sites in Darvaz. Both attacks were also carried out from Afghan territory.
