China, the Taliban, and Tajikistan in a Gold Showdown on the Panj River

Gold Dispute in the Mountains

A fierce clash between Taliban militias and Tajik border guards broke out in the Dovang area near the Shahribuzurg district of Badakhshan. According to local reports, the conflict cost the life of one Taliban fighter, while four others were wounded during an intense gunfight in the Panj Valley.

Chinese Companies at the Eye of the Storm

The cause is gold mining. Since the Taliban seized power, extraction of the river’s gold-rich sands has increased significantly—now with Chinese mining companies leading the way. Tajikistan claims these activities are destroying the riverbed, threatening water supplies, and raising the risk of flooding.

A spokesman in Dushanbe stated: “We are not just facing a border issue, but a question of security for the entire region.”

Mutual Accusations

Following the exchange of fire, representatives from both countries met. The Taliban accused Tajikistan of training over 350 armed opposition fighters, while Dushanbe countered with claims that Afghanistan is harboring militant enemies of its neighbor. Mistrust is further fueled by the fact that Tajikistan has long hosted members of the National Resistance Front.

One observer present at the meeting described the situation as “an unbearable spiral of mutual accusations where no one is willing to compromise.”

A Region in Constant Tension

The conflict fits a broader pattern: Tajikistan is already locked in disputes with Kyrgyzstan over water resources, and in 2022, disagreements led to open fighting involving artillery and tanks. The Panj River now risks becoming the next flashpoint in Central Asia’s complex struggle for power, where resources have become more important than borders.

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