Armed men wearing masks attacked an outpost on the Tajik-Uzbek border in an overnight operation, leaving 17 people dead.
According to Tajik authorities, the 20 attackers killed a border guard and a policeman before 15 of them were killed by return fire.
Another five officers were taken captive, they added.
While the identity of the attackers is yet to be officially revealed, officials said an investigation into the attack 50 km southwest of the capital, Dushanbe, is underway.

Family of alleged Bondi gunman unaware of 'radical mindset', say Indian police
Israeli forces kill Palestinian teen in West Bank, health ministry says
Trump sues BBC for defamation, seeks up to $10 billion in damages
FBI foils 'terror plot' targeting Los Angeles
Hong Kong court finds tycoon Jimmy Lai guilty in landmark security trial
