According to Dawn, Reuters reported on December 2 that Tajikistan has requested Russian assistance to help contain a surge of cross-border attacks by Islamic militants based in Afghanistan, following two deadly incidents that left five Chinese workers dead near the Tajik-Afghan border.
Tajikistan is reportedly in discussions with Russia and the Moscow-led Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) about deploying Russian troops to jointly patrol its volatile border with Afghanistan, according to three senior Tajik security officials cited by Reuters on Tuesday.
Citing three senior Tajik security officials as its sources, Reuters said the talks come after a series of cross-border attacks from Afghanistan over the past week left five Chinese nationals dead and five others injured.
Officials in Dushanbe reportedly confirmed that talks are underway with their Russian counterparts to launch joint patrols along the 1,300-kilometer border.
One of the sources, a member of Tajikistan’s Security Council, reportedly told Reuters that authorities are negotiating with Moscow over the possible deployment of troops from Russia’s military base—its largest foreign military installation, located near Dushanbe.
“We are currently in talks. I think a decision will be made this week,” the source was quoted as saying.
Two additional sources from the State Committee for National Security (SCNS) reportedly confirmed the discussions, noting that a successful agreement would enable Russia to provide aerial support, including helicopter patrols, along Tajikistan’s common border with Afghanistan.
Some media reports say neither the Tajik nor Russian defense ministries have commented on the negotiations. The CSTO, which includes both countries as members, has reportedly also yet to respond to requests for comment.
