Taliban commander arrested over gold mine dispute in Badakhshan

A local Taliban commander has been arrested in connection with escalating tensions over gold mines in Shukai district in Afghanistan’s northeastern Badakhshan province, local sources said on Monday.

The commander, Musa Kaka, who led Taliban forces in Nusay district, was detained by Taliban intelligence forces amid continuing disputes over gold mining operations in the area, sources added.

According to local sources, armed men affiliated with Musa Kaka dispersed into different parts of Badakhshan following his arrest, while security conditions in several districts have become increasingly unstable.

The sources said Taliban fighters loyal to Juma Khan Fateh had been placed on alert in the districts of Nusay and Maymay, raising concerns about possible internal clashes among Taliban factions.

Local sources also said hundreds of fighters affiliated with Juma Khan Fateh had moved into mountainous areas amid the growing tensions. Estimates provided by the sources placed their numbers between 200 and 300 fighters.

The Taliban authorities have not publicly commented on the reported arrest or the broader dispute.

The tensions are linked to a long-running conflict over control of gold mines in Shukai district, where disputes between local residents and Taliban-linked groups have intensified in recent weeks.

Earlier, amid continuing tensions, Ismail Ghaznawi, the Taliban governor of Badakhshan, traveled to the district in an effort to mediate the dispute, according to local sources. The mediation effort failed to resolve the conflict, and tensions have continued.

Residents of the district have accused Taliban-affiliated groups linked to Juma Khan Fateh of seizing land containing gold deposits.

According to local sources, community leaders have refused reconciliation efforts and demanded the return of the disputed land before agreeing to any settlement.

At least two people have been killed and 10 others wounded in clashes between local residents and Taliban members over the mines, the sources said.

Badakhshan, a mountainous province bordering Tajikistan, China and Pakistan, has become increasingly important to the Taliban because of its significant mineral reserves, including gold deposits. Disputes over mining rights and local control of natural resources have repeatedly fueled tensions among Taliban commanders, local strongmen and residents in the province.

Local sources have previously described growing dissatisfaction in parts of Badakhshan over the Taliban’s handling of mining contracts and allegations that influential Taliban figures and outside networks have attempted to dominate resource-rich areas without local consultation. Residents and some local Taliban members have also complained about what they describe as unequal distribution of mining revenues and increasing interference by non-local Taliban commanders.