Deadly Clash in Takhar Over Illegal Gold Mining

A violent confrontation between residents of Takhar province and Taliban administration forces over rampant gold mining continued on Monday in the Chah Ab district. Local sources report that the incident occurred in the Samti area, resulting in the deaths of at least three local residents and one Taliban member.

According to sources, tensions escalated when locals opposed the activities of companies affiliated with the Taliban administration; companies that, according to residents, are extracting gold without transparency and outside legal frameworks. A video obtained by the media shows the evacuation of one of the injured individuals from the clash.

Local dissatisfaction with gold mining in Takhar is not new. On Friday, January 1st, similar protests led to clashes between local residents and Taliban-backed companies.

Residents accuse the Taliban administration of illegal and excessive mining and warn that this unchecked and unaccountable process is causing environmental destruction and depletion of the region’s natural resources—concerns that have so far received no clear response from Taliban officials.