Hunting Gold in the Hindu Kush: Afghans Turn to Riverbeds for Survival

Published : Apr 22, 2026, 06:15 PM IST

n the mountains of Afghanistan, survival looks like this—digging riverbeds for a few grams of gold. Hundreds of men along the Kunar River in Hindu Kush are risking it all, hoping to find enough gold dust to feed their families. A harsh reality of life in crisis-hit regions.