Iranian border guards shot and killed 10 Afghans attempting to cross illegally into Iran through the western province of Farah, the Taliban’s police command said on Tuesday, in one of the deadliest such incidents reported this year.

Axar.az informs, citing Amu TV, Mohammad Naseem Badri, head of media for the Taliban police in Farah, said the group of residents had tried to enter Iran via the Sheikh Abu Nasr Farahi crossing when they came under fire. He said two other people who were with them were missing.

No further details were provided, and Iranian authorities have not issued a statement on the incident.

Since the Taliban returned to power in 2021, tens of thousands of Afghans have fled to neighbouring countries, many attempting to reach Iran for work or onward travel.

Iran hosts one of the world’s largest Afghan migrant populations and has tightened controls along the frontier amid a rise in irregular crossings.