The Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) has announced plans to supply advanced weapons and military equipment to Tajikistan’s border forces in response to a growing number of armed incidents and security threats along the Tajik-Afghan border.
The decision comes amid heightened instability in border regions, following a series of violent clashes involving armed groups, smugglers, and suspected extremist elements operating near Afghan territory. Tajik authorities have reported a noticeable deterioration in security conditions over recent months, prompting urgent regional and international attention.
On January 29, Tajik border security forces engaged in a confrontation with a group of suspected drug traffickers in Khatlon province, a region bordering Afghanistan. According to official sources, three armed individuals were killed during the operation, while others managed to retreat across the border into Afghan territory.
During the operation, security forces seized a substantial cache of weapons and ammunition, along with 73 packages of narcotics, including hashish and opium—underscoring the growing nexus between cross-border trafficking networks and armed militancy.
Tajik officials have warned that such incidents reflect a broader pattern of escalating threats along the border. One of the most serious attacks occurred in November, when armed assailants believed to be linked to extremist groups killed five Chinese nationals working in Tajikistan’s border regions. Following the attack, China reportedly suspended several infrastructure and mining projects in the affected areas, raising concerns over regional economic stability and investor confidence.
In response to the deteriorating security environment, the CSTO has moved to enhance Tajikistan’s defensive capabilities. Russia-based news agency Interfax quoted CSTO Secretary General Talgat Musabayev as confirming that the organization is finalizing a comprehensive list of military and technical equipment to be delivered to Tajik border forces.
According to Musabayev, the assistance aims to strengthen border protection, enhance operational readiness, and prevent the infiltration of militants, traffickers, and other armed groups from Afghan territory. The CSTO is currently in the process of identifying suppliers and finalizing contractual arrangements for the delivery of the equipment.
While the exact timeline for deployment has not yet been disclosed, CSTO officials emphasized that the initiative reflects the organization’s commitment to collective security and regional stability.
The Collective Security Treaty Organization comprises Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan. Armenia remains a formal member of the alliance, though it has currently suspended active participation.
The CSTO reaffirmed its resolve to support member states facing security challenges and to prevent the spillover of instability from neighboring regions into Central Asia.
