A drone from Afghanistan attacked a gold mine in Tajikistan. The victims included the Chinese
The authorities in Kabul expressed “deep regret” over the attack that resulted in the deaths of, among others, on Wednesday (November 26) in Tajikistan. three Chinese employees of the Shohin SM mining company.
The Afghan government blamed the incident on “elements trying to create chaos and distrust between countries in the region.” He also assured his readiness to fully cooperate with Dushanbe.
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How many people died in the attack in Tajikistan?
When did the gold mine attack occur?
What were the reactions of the governments of Tajikistan and Afghanistan?
Who were the victims of the attack?
A drone dropped a payload on a gold mine in Tajikistan
The attack took place on Wednesday. A drone dropped its payload over a gold mine. There was an explosion; died and were injured, among others Chinese citizens. The Tajik authorities described the attackers as “criminal groups operating in a neighboring country” that “continue activities aimed at destabilizing the situation.” In the past, the government in Dushanbe has warned that drug smugglers operate along the border and illegal gold mining is ongoing.
After the attack, Tajik leader Emomali Rahmon's office said the president met with the heads of security institutions to discuss the situation. Rahmon “strongly condemned the illegal and provocative actions of Afghan citizens.”
Pakistan: This is a cowardly attack on Chinese citizens
The government of Pakistan also commented on the incident. Islamabad called it a “cowardly attack on Chinese citizens” and stressed that Afghan territory “cannot be used for terrorist purposes against its neighbors or any other country.”
The Pakistani authorities – as noted by the Saudi website Arab News on Monday – attach particular importance to China as a regional ally that is also an important investor in Pakistan. Over the years, Beijing has invested billions of dollars in this country in a network of roads, railways and energy corridors that will connect the Pakistani port of Gwadar in the southwest of the country with the Chinese region of Xinjiang. This initiative is known as the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
Both countries cooperate closely in the military field, including in the arms industry, because they are afraid of their common regional rival, India, Arab News emphasized.
