Reports have emerged that a network of militants is forcing gold mine owners in Afghanistan’s Badakhshan province to pay extortion for Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). Sources claim the campaign is allegedly backed by the local Taliban governor, Maulvi Ismail Ghaznavi.
According to sources, a group of nearly 100 armed men, including both TTP and Afghan Taliban fighters, is pressuring mine owners to provide funds. Those who refuse are reportedly facing punitive actions.
Sources say Qari Zaki, reportedly part of the governor’s personal staff, has been appointed to oversee the operation. He visits gold mines across several districts to collect payments for the TTP.
A local gold mine owner in Shahr-e-Buzurg, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that in just a few days, at least 5 million Afghanis have been collected from the district alone. He added that the campaign is ongoing.
The sources also mentioned that a mine owner named Firdous Rahman refused to pay. His mine was sealed, and he was reportedly arrested for violating orders from the Islamic Emirate.
Reports indicate similar extortion is taking place in Jurm district and other parts of the province. Mine owners are being forced to hand over funds to the TTP, with threats of punitive action if they do not comply.
So far, the Taliban authorities have not issued an official response to the allegations. Observers say these reports highlight the growing influence of militant networks in resource-rich regions of Afghanistan.
