Deadly Clash over Gold Mine Killed 4, Injured 5

DID Press: Spokesman for the Taliban-run Interior Ministry said four people were killed and five others were wounded following clashes between local residents and a private gold-mining contractor in Chah Ab district of Takhar province. Two suspects have been detained in connection with the incident.

Mufti Abdul Matin Qane, the ministry spokesman, said in an audio message on Wednesday that the confrontation broke out between residents of Chah Ab and officials of a gold-washing company operating in the area.

According to Qane, three local residents and one company employee were killed, while five others were injured. He added that police arrested two individuals — one a member of the company’s security staff and the other a local resident — in relation to the violence.

The spokesman said security in the area has now been restored and that forces have brought the situation fully under control. He also noted that the deputy governor of Takhar traveled to Chah Ab to oversee an on-site review of the incident.

Earlier, Homayoon Afghan, spokesman for the Taliban Ministry of Mines and Petroleum, had confirmed the clashes but had not provided casualty figures at the time.

Qane added that operations by the involved company have been suspended, and police investigations into the incident remain ongoing.