Taliban Jails Local Commander Over Gold Mine Dispute in Kunduz

Local sources in Badakhshan say the Taliban have imprisoned a local commander named Abdul Rahman Ammar following tensions over the ownership of a gold mine.

According to sources who spoke to the daily newspaper 8am on Friday, November 27, the commander was transferred to Kandahar after internal conflicts erupted among Taliban members over mining rights in the Shahr-e-Bozorg district. His transfer was facilitated by Fasihuddin Fitrat, the Taliban’s Chief of Army Staff, and Saifuddin Tayeb, the Deputy Director for Coordination in the group’s administrative office.

Sources say that Abdul Rahman Ammar was unable to meet with Taliban leader Hibatullah Akhundzada in Kandahar and was subsequently summoned by the Taliban’s military court in Kunduz. He was later detained and has been held in prison for more than a month.

Additional sources report that Ammar was allegedly targeted in a conspiracy orchestrated by Fasihuddin and Amanuddin, the Taliban governor of Helmand province. These sources claim both officials have personal stakes in mining operations: Amanuddin is said to be in partnership with a resident of Ghorband in Parwan province for gold extraction, while Fasihuddin reportedly has financial ties with Chinese investors.

Many local Taliban fighters in Badakhshan have expressed deep dissatisfaction with Fasihuddin and Amanuddin’s actions, accusing them of abusing their official positions to further personal interests.

This incident comes amid growing concern among Badakhshan residents regarding rampant looting and illegal mineral extraction under Taliban rule. Locals are calling for transparent oversight and accountability in the management of natural resources.