Growing public anger over Taliban-linked gold mining operations has erupted into violent unrest in northern Afghanistan, exposing deep grievances, alleged corruption, and mounting instability under Taliban rule.
According to multiple local sources, protesters in the Samti area of Chah Ab district, Takhar province, set fire to gold mining equipment associated with companies linked to the Afghan Taliban after clashes with Taliban security personnel and company staff spiraled out of control. The confrontation marks one of the most serious civilian backlashes against Taliban-backed commercial activities in recent months.
Sources confirmed that at least three local residents and one Taliban member have been killed, while 16 others have been injured so far. Locals warn the death toll may rise as tensions remain high and the situation continues to deteriorate.
Residents say the protests were triggered by unregulated and forceful gold extraction, carried out without community consent and with no environmental safeguards. Locals blame the mining activities for severe environmental degradation and worsening water shortages, which have directly affected livelihoods in the area.
Video footage obtained by independent media shows thick plumes of smoke rising from the clash zones, underscoring the scale of destruction and public anger.
As protests spread and clashes intensified, officials linked to the mining companies reportedly fled the area, with local sources stating they are now “on the run.” Their sudden disappearance has further fueled perceptions of wrongdoing and impunity.
According to residents and local sources, the companies involved are allegedly linked to Bashar Noorzai, a notorious drug trafficker and a key financial backer of the Taliban. Protesters claim that at least three Taliban-linked companies are operating in Chah Ab district alone, exploiting natural resources while ignoring local rights and environmental consequences.
Residents reported that tensions had already escalated days earlier, when Taliban members entered residential areas to initiate gold extraction, triggering earlier clashes and widespread fear.
Despite reports of fatalities, injuries, and widespread destruction, Taliban authorities have remained silent, offering no public statement on the clashes, the deaths, or the alleged role of Taliban-linked business interests. This lack of transparency has intensified local resentment and reinforced accusations that the Taliban are prioritizing economic gain and patronage networks over civilian welfare.
The events in Takhar highlight a growing pattern of resource exploitation, coercion, and repression under Taliban rule, where communities opposing Taliban-backed ventures are met with force rather than dialogue. Observers warn that such incidents could become more frequent as economic desperation, environmental damage, and public frustration continue to rise across Afghanistan.
For many residents of Chah Ab, the protests are not just about gold but about survival, dignity, and resistance against what they describe as unchecked Taliban control over Afghanistan’s natural wealth.
