Local sources in Kunduz province report that Taliban forces have arrested five tribal elders in the Aqhtash district. The elders were detained on accusations of protesting the arbitrary extraction of gold mines and sending videos to media outlets outside the country.
According to the sources, two of the detainees were severely mistreated by the Taliban. The arrests followed a protest by dozens of residents in the "Band-e Barq" area of Aqhtash district against the non-standard gold extraction by companies contracted by the Taliban.
Protesters claim these companies have dug deep pits near residential homes, roads, and electricity poles, posing a risk of destruction to the village and public infrastructure in the event of a flood.
Local residents also allege that armed Taliban members have taken control of the gold mines and are evicting poor laborers from the extraction sites. They claim the Taliban are forcibly collecting 3,000 Afghanis from people for each gold extraction pit dug.
Sources say that Zalmai Osama, the Taliban's district governor for Dasht-e Archi who is a resident of Aqhtash village, has threatened people that if they do not pay this money, they will be expelled from the area.
These tensions have also led to internal conflict among the Taliban. According to sources, an armed clash occurred on Monday evening between individuals affiliated with Zalmai Osama and Sharifullah Mutawakil, the Taliban's security chief in Aqhtash, over the division and control of the gold extraction areas. The Taliban district governor for Aqhtash reportedly mediated to end the clash.
Source: Local Sources
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