Chinese Ambassador to Tajikistan Guo Zhijun has demanded that Tajik authorities ensure the safety of Chinese citizens and enterprises in the country, according to a statement published on the official website of the Chinese Embassy.
In response to recent armed attacks on Chinese nationals in border areas near Afghanistan, the ambassador held urgent phone talks with Tajikistan's Foreign Minister Sirojiddin Muhriddin and First Deputy Chairman of the State Committee for National Security, Farhod Kamolzoda.
The two sides discussed the recent incidents and expressed serious concern over the growing security threats. According to the statement, the Tajik side strongly condemned the attacks, expressed solidarity with China, and pledged to immediately strengthen security measures to protect Chinese nationals and facilities.
According to official reports, two armed attacks from Afghan territory have occurred in Tajikistan over the past week, leaving five Chinese nationals dead and five others injured.
One of the attacks took place on November 30 in Darvoz district of the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region (GBAO). The Main Border Guard Directorate at the State Committee for National Security (SCNS) reported that around 6:45 p.m. local time, an armed terrorist group crossed into Tajikistan from the Afghan village of Ruzvayak in Badakhshan Province and attacked employees of the Chinese construction company China Road and Bridge Corporation in the village of Shodak, Vishkharv jamoat. Two Chinese workers were killed and two others injured in the attack, the Main Border Guard Directorate’ press center said.
Another incident occurred on November 26 in Shamsiddin-Shohin district of Khatlon province. Armed assailants from the Shahri Buzurg district of Afghanistan's Badakhshan Province attacked employees of the Chinese firm Shohin-SM. Three Chinese nationals were killed, and one was wounded.
Tajik border authorities noted that despite ongoing efforts to maintain security and stability in border regions, criminal groups continue to carry out actions aimed at destabilizing the situation.
The Tajik government expressed deep concern over the incidents, strongly condemned the attacks, and called on Afghan authorities to take effective measures to prevent such incidents and bring the perpetrators to justice.
On December 1, President Emomali Rahmon held an emergency meeting with heads of security and law enforcement agencies, during which he condemned the provocative actions from Afghan territory and ordered stricter security measures along the border to prevent further incidents.
