The Taliban have announced the formation of a 1,000-member rapid-deployment unit tasked with strengthening security along Afghanistan’s northern borders.

The decision was made during a meeting in Samangan attended by Taliban governors from northwestern provinces and senior security officials.

The spokesperson for the Taliban governor in Balkh said in a statement on Friday that the meeting was held in Aybak with the participation of provincial governors, police commanders, intelligence chiefs, the deputy commander of the Taliban’s 209th Corps, and the head of the military court in Balkh. According to the spokesperson, the new unit will be able to deploy quickly to border areas whenever required.

The announcement comes days after two attacks launched from inside Afghanistan toward Tajikistan killed five people, including three Chinese nationals, and wounded five others. On Friday, 28 November, the Taliban’s Foreign Ministry condemned the attacks and said the administration was fully prepared to help secure the border and conduct a joint investigation.

Earlier this year, the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) voiced concern over instability in Afghanistan and the growing threats emanating from the country’s northern provinces. The bloc stressed the need for a targeted intergovernmental programme to reinforce Tajikistan’s border with Afghanistan.

According to information from the CSTO, the border-strengthening initiative is scheduled to begin in 2025 and will be implemented in three phases over five years.