Faizabad: A deadly dispute over a gold mine in Afghanistan’s Badakhshan province left at least four Chinese nationals dead and several others wounded. The violence erupted on Sunday evening at the Sheh-e-Burzg mining site, highlighting rising tensions between foreign investors and local Afghan stakeholders.
According to eyewitnesses, the incident began when an Afghan warlord, claiming ownership of the excavation site, confronted Chinese workers already present there. An argument quickly escalated into violence.
Attack Leaves Chinese and Afghan Workers Wounded
Eyewitnesses reported that the local Afghan contractor opened fire indiscriminately. The shooting killed four Chinese workers on the spot and seriously wounded one more. Four Afghans working at the site were also injured.
Sources say most of the workers, both Chinese and Afghan, were co-contractors involved in gold extraction. The site had reportedly been allocated by the former Minister of Mines, Shahabuddin Dilawar. However, the current ministry reassigned it to new stakeholders, triggering disputes over legitimate control.
Local sources confirmed that the Chinese had invested heavily in mining operations, which has increasingly sidelined some Afghan contractors. This imbalance has fueled local resentment, with some viewing the foreign presence as economically threatening.
Authorities Deny Terror Link, Pledge Justice
Local government officials quickly ruled out the involvement of any militant group, including ISKP. They confirmed that the attack was a personal act, not related to terrorism. “This was a local dispute. We are investigating the matter, and the perpetrator will be brought to justice,” said a government spokesperson.
This is the first reported incident in which Chinese workers were targeted in a direct confrontation with Afghan locals rather than a terrorist group. The incident has alarmed both communities and could raise concerns among other foreign investors operating in the region.
As Afghanistan seeks to revive its economy through natural resource development, Sunday’s tragedy has exposed the fragile nature of security in contested mining zones. It also underscores the urgent need for clear legal frameworks and local engagement in resource management.
The government has vowed to increase protections at mining sites and resolve ongoing disputes through dialogue. However, after Sunday’s deadly clash, tensions around the gold mine remain dangerously high.
