Tajik authorities have reported a significant escalation in armed confrontations and narcotics trafficking activity along the country’s border with Afghanistan, underscoring mounting security challenges linked to cross-border drug smuggling.
Zafar Samad, Head of Tajikistan’s Counter-Narcotics Agency, announced that security forces recorded 17 armed clashes with Afghan drug traffickers in 2025, marking a sharp increase compared to six incidents reported in the previous year. The confrontations resulted in the deaths of two Tajik security personnel and ten Afghan nationals, highlighting the growing risks faced by border and law-enforcement units.
“These figures demonstrate a notable rise in both the intensity and frequency of armed encounters along the Afghan–Tajik border,” Samad said, emphasizing the evolving security environment in the region.
In parallel with the surge in violence, authorities reported a substantial increase in drug interdictions. According to official data, more than 2,700 kilograms of narcotics were seized along the Afghan–Tajik frontier over the course of the year. Officials noted that the volume of seized drugs reflects both strengthened enforcement operations and the continued resilience of trafficking networks operating across the border.
Despite intensified security measures and counter-narcotics efforts, Samad cautioned that drug trafficking routes originating in Afghanistan and transiting through Tajikistan toward other regions remain active. These routes continue to pose persistent challenges for national security forces and require sustained vigilance and operational coordination.
“The threat posed by cross-border narcotics trafficking remains serious and complex,” Samad stated. “While our agencies have strengthened border control and interdiction efforts, trafficking networks continue to adapt, requiring ongoing and comprehensive responses.”
Tajik authorities reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing border security, counter-narcotics operations, and regional cooperation to address the interconnected threats of drug trafficking and armed violence. Officials emphasized that safeguarding the Afghan–Tajik border remains a strategic priority for national and regional stability.
