Increased Taliban activity in Aghanistan's 'mineral rich' areas

Afghanistan's Natural Resources Monitoring Network (NRMN) has expressed concerns over increasing activities of the Taliban in country's mineral rich areas.

According to the Tolo News, NRMN said that many areas which are rich in mineral deposits are being controlled by the insurgent group or allies, which is having a direct impact on mining companies.

Ibrahim Jafari, a member of the organisation told the Tolo News that mines have become a main source of income for the Taliban. Even licensed companies also have to pay them money to carry out their activities.

He also criticised the government for failing to pass laws on mining

Even the Minister of Mines and Petroleum Daud Shah Saba said that only a quarter of the mining sector's income goes to the government treasury while the rest is grabbed by powerful smugglers, warlords, most whom are linked to the Taliban.

The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) in February had also announced mines are the second largest income source for the Taliban.