Afghanistan Vows Cooperation on Attack 11/28 06:04

   

   KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) -- Afghanistan on Friday expressed "deep regret" and 
strongly condemned a cross-border attack into neighboring Tajikistan that 
killed three Chinese workers and wounded a fourth.

   An initial assessment indicated that "this incident involves elements that 
are trying to create chaos, instability, and distrust between countries in the 
region," said Foreign Ministry deputy spokesman Hafiz Zia Ahmad Takal. He said 
Afghanistan "assures full cooperation with the government of Tajikistan and is 
fully prepared for information exchange, technical cooperation, and joint 
assessment to find the causes of the incident."

   On Thursday, Tajikistan's Foreign Ministry said the attack was carried out 
the previous night from inside Afghanistan with the use of a drone equipped 
with grenades and firearms.

   "Despite the constant efforts by Tajikistan to maintain security and create 
an atmosphere of peace and stability in the border areas between Tajikistan and 
Afghanistan, the disruptive actions by criminal groups located in the territory 
of Afghanistan still continue," it said, calling on Afghan authorities to 
ensure security in the border area.

   The Chinese Embassy in Tajikistan urged its citizens to "refrain from 
investing or working in the Tajik-Afghanistan border region," and advised those 
already in the area to "evacuate as soon as possible."

   Tajikistan and Afghanistan have long had testy relations, particularly after 
the Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan in 2021, when Tajikistan cut all ties 
with its southern neighbor. But there have been signs of a gradual thaw in 
relations, with markets in the border area reopening in 2023, and a Tajik 
delegation visiting Kabul earlier this month.