Summary Kohat Police have launched a crackdown following a deadly armed clash reportedly linked to a dispute over alleged illegal gold mining, with cases registered and several suspects detained.
KOHAT (Dunya News) – Police in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have launched a cleanup operation in parts of Kohat following an armed clash reportedly linked to a dispute over alleged illegal gold mining, according to media reports and local sources.
The confrontation was reported in the Darabo Kach area within the jurisdiction of Gumbat police station. Reports said the dispute involved groups allegedly associated with relatives of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Law Minister Aftab Alam and former MPA Amjad Afridi.
According to the reports, the dispute allegedly concerned gold-mining activities in the area and escalated into an exchange of fire. Casualties and injuries were reported, although independently verified figures were not immediately available.
Police subsequently registered two FIRs in connection with the incident. Reports said Section 7 of the Anti-Terrorism Act was included in the cases and former MPA Amjad Afridi was among those nominated.
Being named in an FIR does not establish guilt, and the allegations remain subject to investigation and determination by the competent courts.
Following the violence, Kohat police carried out an operation in the Darabo Kach area on September 14 against individuals suspected of involvement in unauthorised mining activities.
During the operation, police reportedly detained several people, dismantled suspected illegal mining sites and removed excavators and other heavy machinery from the area.
‼️ کوہاٹ میں سیاسی سرپرستی میں جاری سونے کی غیر قانونی مائننگ کے دوران فائرنگ کے واقعے کے بعد پولیس کا آپریشن کلین اَپ
— Dunya News (@DunyaNews) September 15, 2026
کوہاٹ میں سونے کی غیر قانونی مائننگ کے معاملے پر پی ٹی آئی کے صوبائی وزیر قانون آفتاب عالم کے بھتیجوں مجاہد آفریدی اور صادق آفریدی کے گروپ اور سابق ایم پی اے… pic.twitter.com/rIcboVvQVQ
Media reports have also alleged political links to some mining operations and machinery being used in the area. These claims could not be independently verified, and no finding by a court or other competent authority establishing responsibility was immediately available.
The reported involvement of serving and former political figures, therefore, remains an allegation unless established through official investigation or judicial proceedings.
The issue of placer gold mining in Kohat has remained contentious amid questions surrounding regulation, licensing and enforcement. The latest violence has renewed attention on the need for authorities to determine whether mining operations in the affected areas were properly authorised and whether any influential individuals were involved.
Police action against suspected illegal mining operations is expected to continue as investigators examine the circumstances surrounding the armed clash and the activities being carried out at the mining sites.
