Soldier in Tajikistan killed by Afghan smugglers

Published Jan. 8, 2013 at 1:37 pm

A U.S. soldier with the NATO- led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) investigates the scene after two suicide attacks in Spin Boldak, Kandahar province, south of Kabul, Afghanistan, Sunday, Jan. 6, 2013. Two suicide bombers penetrated a government compound in the country's south Sunday, killing several, Afghan officials said. There were no reports of foreign troops or civilians at the site.

Photo by AP

DUSHANBE, Tajikistan — A soldier in Tajikistan has been killed in a gun battle with smugglers attempting to cross the porous frontier from neighboring Afghanistan.

The Tajik security services, which handle border protection, said Tuesday that about 20 intruders opened fire after being intercepted during a nighttime patrol, killing one soldier and wounding another before fleeing.

Tajikistan is a major conduit for the trafficking of heroin and other drugs from Afghanistan to Russia and Western Europe.

The incident took place on Jan. 1. Authorities in the former Soviet republic often delay releasing information on security issues.

While border clashes are frequent, the amount of narcotics sequestered is relatively small. The United States and Russia provide security assistance, but the extensive, rough terrain of areas adjoining Afghanistan hinder effective control.