Taliban, Tajikistan Trade Accusations After Deadly Border Clash
The Taliban and Tajik authorities have accused each other of harbouring armed opponents following a deadly border clash in Badakhshan province, officials and sources said.
The Taliban and Tajik authorities have accused each other of harbouring armed opponents following a deadly border clash in Badakhshan province, officials and sources said.
Taliban and Tajik border forces exchanged fire with light and heavy weapons on Sunday in the Dawong area of Shahr-e-Buzurg district, according to sources. One Taliban fighter was killed and four others wounded. Videos obtained by Afghanistan International captured the sound of gunfire during the fighting.
On Tuesday, Taliban and Tajik officials met in Dawong for what was described as a tense exchange. In video footage from the meeting, Shafiqullah Hafizi, the Taliban’s head of mines in Badakhshan, accused Tajikistan of training 350 armed opponents of the group. Tajik officials countered with their own allegations that Afghanistan was sheltering militants.
Neither side has issued an official statement.
Sources said the clashes erupted after Chinese mining companies expanded operations in the area, damaging parts of the Amu River.
Tajikistan has hosted members of the National Resistance Front and other Taliban opponents in recent years, further straining ties between the two neighbours.
