Chinese Gold Mining Provokes Battle Between Taliban and Tajikistan

The first military clash in three years between Tajik border guards and TDF militants took place on the border between Tajikistan and Afghanistan. The clash was caused by gold mining by Chinese companies.

This was reported by K-News.

According to the publication, the clash took place in the Dovang border area of Shahribuzurg district of Badakhshan province in Afghanistan, bordering the Shamsiddin Shohin district of Khatlon region of Tajikistan. The incident left one Taliban dead and four others injured.

The video of the clash was published by Afghanistan International. It shows an intense exchange of small arms fire between the sides in the Panj River Valley.

According to preliminary data, the conflict was caused by the expansion of Chinese mining companies engaged in gold mining in Afghanistan. Their activities have led to the destruction of the Panj River channel, which, according to Tajikistan, threatens water supply in the region and increases the risk of flooding.

The Panj River contains gold-bearing sand. Since the Taliban came to power, gold mining on the banks of the Panj River on the other side of the border has increased. Now, along with Afghan citizens, Chinese companies are mining gold there.

The Tajik government is also considering the possibility of building gold washing plants on its banks. However, for now, it is only concerned with strengthening the banks and preventing landslides. Citizens of Tajikistan are not yet authorized to panning for gold in the area.

After the clash, Tajik and Afghan border guards met. Officials of both sides, in addition to discussing the issues of water supply to the Panj River and gold mining companies, accused each other of harboring and training oppositionists.

The Afghan delegation accused Tajikistan of training 350 armed opponents of the group. Tajik officials responded with their own allegations that Afghanistan is harboring militants.

Tajikistan has hosted members of the National Resistance Front and other Taliban opponents in recent years, further straining relations between the two neighbors.

Tajikistan also has a conflict with Kyrgyzstan over access to water resources in the Batken region, where much of the border between Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan is still disputed.

In September 2022, this led to fighting between the two countries with the use of artillery, armored vehicles, and aircraft. At least 94 people were killed in the clash.