Conflicting Accounts of a Tajik Border Incident: Taliban Members or Drug Traffickers?
The recent deadly incident along the Afghanistan–Tajikistan border has once again raised questions about border security and conflicting narratives from involved parties.
Local sources in Badakhshan province confirmed that three of the individuals killed in the incident were residents of Khwahan district, and their bodies, after being transferred from Tajikistan to Taliban authorities, were buried yesterday, January 19, 2026.
According to these sources, the deceased were Taliban members affiliated with the group’s border battalion a claim that contradicts the Taliban’s official narrative.
The Taliban, however, labeled these individuals as “drug traffickers.” Zabihullah Mujahid, the group’s spokesperson, said the matter is under investigation and assured Tajik authorities that it would be addressed.
This contrasts with statements from Tajik officials, who had previously described the deceased as members of a “terrorist group” and made no reference to drug trafficking.
Observers believe this discrepancy reflects the Taliban’s effort to reduce political pressure resulting from a sensitive border incident.
The event has intensified broader concerns about security along Afghanistan’s northeastern borders, concerns that were previously heightened by reports of attacks on Chinese staff at border points between the two countries.
Tajik authorities have repeatedly criticized the Taliban for failing to maintain border security.
According to official Tajik sources, four people were killed during the incident on the night of Saturday, January 17, 2026, in Shamsuddin area, while the identity of a fifth victim remains unknown.
