KABUL : A bitter internal power struggle within the Taliban has escalated into bloodshed in Afghanistan’s northeastern Badakhshan province, where the son-in-law of senior commander Juma Khan Fateh has been reportedly killed while in Taliban custody, sources confirmed on Thursday.
According to local informants, Juma Khan’s son-in-law was apprehended by Taliban forces while traveling to the Kof Aab district. Within hours of his detention, news of his death emerged, triggering outrage among factions loyal to the senior commander. The incident is believed to be the latest flashpoint in an ongoing feud over control of Badakhshan’s lucrative gold deposits and rampant illegal mining operations in the region.
Sources close to the matter allege that Juma Khan Fateh has been accused by rival Taliban elements of continuing unauthorized gold extraction in defiance of direct orders issued by the supreme leader, Mullah Haibatullah Akhundzada. The commander, who wields significant influence in the province, has reportedly refused to halt mining activities that generate substantial revenue for his faction, defying the central authority’s decrees.
Analysts warn that this war over gold reserves is not an isolated skirmish but rather a symptom of deepening fractures within the Taliban’s leadership hierarchy. The group, which has presented a united front since seizing power in 2021, is now showing signs of fragmentation as regional commanders assert their independence over lucrative natural resources.
“The killing of a family member of a powerful commander in custody is a red line. This will not be taken lightly,” said a regional security analyst speaking on condition of anonymity. “If this feud continues, it could spiral into open factional warfare, especially in resource-rich provinces like Badakhshan.”
Local residents have reported heightened tensions and a visible military buildup in the area, with both sides suspected of mobilizing fighters. There are growing fears that the internal rift could lead to more violent incidents in the coming days, potentially drawing in other commanders and further destabilizing the already fragile region.
The Taliban’s central leadership has yet to issue an official statement regarding the custodial death or the allegations of illegal mining. However, informed sources indicate that back-channel negotiations are underway to de-escalate the situation before it erupts into full-blown inter-factional conflict.
As Badakhshan’s gold reserves continue to fuel greed and rivalry, the incident serves as a stark reminder that the Taliban’s greatest challenge may not come from external enemies, but from within its own ranks.
