The Taliban supreme leader has authorized the deployment of a 1,000-man military unit to secure gold mines in Badakhshan. These forces will report directly to Kandahar and are tasked with protecting investments made by Chinese companies.
Local sources suggest this move may reduce the influence of local Tajik Taliban factions in the northeast. Badakhshan Governor Ismail Ghaznavi praised the decision as a sign of the leader’s “compassion” and emphasized better management of mining firms.
While the Ministry of Mines claims 100,000 jobs have been created, ground reports indicate heavy reliance on mechanized excavation. There are concerns the deployment aims to suppress local protests against unregulated mining practices.
Special 1,000-Strong Unit Deployed to Protect Badakhshan Gold
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