The agency established the route of the violators' movement, after which the border guards attempted to detain them.
When the security forces demanded that they stop, the group of smugglers opened armed resistance and tried to return to Afghanistan. As a result of return fire, three of the violators were eliminated on the spot. The State National Security Committee of Tajikistan confirmed that they were Jovid valadi Davlatmand, Rashid valadi Davlatmand, and Sobir valadi Zohir, all residents of the Takhar province. Two other violators managed to escape into the darkness.
At the scene of the incident, three Kalashnikov assault rifles with magazines, 150 rounds of various calibers, a large number of shell casings, as well as four bags containing 73 packages of drugs (hashish and opium) and a boat used to cross the Panj River were found.
The border troops stated that they are "taking all necessary measures" to protect the state border. The incident is currently under investigation, and the situation is being monitored.
