Clash Reported Between Tajik Border Guards and Taliban Fighters in Badakhshan

Reports have surfaced about a border clash between Tajik border guards and Taliban fighters on August 24 in Dovang district, Badakhshan province, near Tajikistan’s Shamsiddin Shohin district, Orda.kz reports.

According to Shana News Agency, one Taliban fighter was killed and four were injured.

The confrontation reportedly stemmed from disputes over Chinese mining operations and the destruction of the Panj River’s riverbed. Afghan sources said heavy weapons were used.

Following the clash, Tajik and Taliban representatives met for talks in Dovang. Afghanistan International published a video of the meeting, noting that both sides accused each other of sheltering opponents across their respective territories.

Taliban officials were reportedly represented by Shafiqullah Hafizi, head of the mining department in Badakhshan, while Radio Ozodi writes that the Tajik negotiator was the border unit commander in Shamsiddin Shohin.

No official comment has been issued yet by Tajik authorities or the Taliban, according to AsiaPlus.