Drone strike on Chinese workers in Tajikistan strains Sino-Pakistan ties

Tensions between China and Pakistan have escalated after drones operating from near the Af-Pak border killed three Chinese nationals in Tajikistan on Friday.

China has launched a probe following reports that the drones, which entered Tajikistan through Afghan airspace, may have been operated by the Pakistan military or its proxies, it has been learnt.

Russia is also examining Pakistan's possible role in the attack. The incident occurred in Tajikistan, where Russian troops guard the Tajik-Afghan border. President Vladimir Putin recently visited the country, and Moscow and Dushanbe share strong security and political ties. While Kabul and Dushanbe refrained from blaming each other, Pakistan quickly seized on the incident to target the Taliban regime in Kabul. Sources said Islamabad is trying to discredit Kabul amid deteriorating bilateral ties.