Islamabad_ The Foreign Office of Pakistan has strongly condemned a deadly drone and firearm attack on the LLC Shahin SM camp in the Khatlon region of Tajikistan, which claimed the lives of three Chinese workers. The attack, carried out on the night of November 26–27, originated from Afghan territory and targeted the camp located in the control area of the 1st Border Guard Post Istiqlal. Tajik authorities confirmed that the UAV was loaded with grenades and automatic weapons.
The victims were employees of a Chinese company involved in construction and mineral projects near the Tajik-Afghan border. Tajikistan described the incident as a serious breach of border security and attributed it to terrorist groups operating from Afghanistan.
Pakistan Expresses Condolences and Solidarity
In a statement issued on Friday, Pakistan extended its condolences to China and Tajikistan over the loss of life, describing the attack as a cowardly act of terrorism. The FO stressed that Afghan territory must not be used for terrorism against neighboring countries or any other nation.
“As a neighbor that has repeatedly suffered terrorist attacks orchestrated from Afghan soil, the people of Pakistan fully understand and share the grief and anguish of our Chinese friends and Tajik partners,”
The FO said.
Call for Regional Action
Pakistan highlighted that only concrete and verifiable action against perpetrators, facilitators, and financiers of terrorist groups operating from Afghan soil can address the growing regional threat. The FO reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to working with China, Tajikistan, and other regional partners to promote peace, stability, and security in the neighborhood.
Security Concerns in the Region
The Khatlon region, a mountainous area spanning approximately 1,350 kilometers along the Tajik-Afghan border, has seen ongoing militant activity. This is not the first incident: in November 2024, a cross-border attack in the Zarbouzi Gorge area of Khatlon killed one Chinese worker and injured four others, also originating from Afghan soil.
Tajikistan has consistently urged the Taliban authorities in Kabul to take immediate and effective measures against criminal and terrorist groups and ensure the security of the border regions. Regional security analysts note that terrorist threats emanating from Afghanistan now pose direct risks not only to Pakistan but also to Tajikistan and Chinese interests in the region.
China-Tajik Cooperation and Regional Security
The recent attack underscores the urgency of enhanced security cooperation. During a visit by China’s Foreign Minister to Dushanbe earlier this week, China and Tajikistan agreed joint border patrolling and counterterrorism cooperation. The incident reinforces the need for these measures to be implemented swiftly.
Analysts also link the attacks to broader regional dynamics. The closure of India’s only overseas military base at Ayni in Tajikistan has heightened tensions between Kabul and Dushanbe. Some observers argue that attacks on Chinese targets in Khatlon may be connected to strategic shifts following the base closure, though no direct evidence currently confirms this theory.
Pakistan’s Regional Perspective
Pakistan’s position is reinforced by this incident. Despite Taliban control, Afghanistan remains a safe haven for terrorist networks, and cross-border attacks are not limited to Pakistan. Chinese and Tajik targets are increasingly at risk. Pakistan views the attack as a shared regional security challenge and believes coordinated strategies among Pakistan, China, Tajikistan, and other neighboring countries are essential to counter the threat.
The Pakistan Foreign Office has emphasized that regional collaboration and unified action are critical to confronting terrorism emanating from Afghan soil. The tragic deaths of the three Chinese workers in Tajikistan highlight the urgent need for sustained counterterrorism measures and reinforce Pakistan’s call for international cooperation in securing peace and stability in South and Central Asia.
