Post on 27-Feb-2023
FirstDraftPublishing/Primary
AbdulHaiMutma’in:Taliban
ACriticalHistoryfromWithin
MikeMartin:Foreword
FirstpublishedinPashtoinAfghanistanin2019.
FirstpublishedinEnglishinGermanyin2019
byFirstDraftPublishingGmbH,
©AbdulHaiMutma’in2019
Foreword:©Dr.MikeMartin2019
Editors:©AlexStrickvanLinschoten,
SabaImtiaz,andFelixKuehn2019
ISBN978-3-944214-28-3(softcover)
ISBN978-3-944214-27-6(kindle)
ISBN978-3-944214-26-9(epub)
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TableofContents
Foreword
Preface
Chapter1:ThemeaningandrootsofthewordsTalibandTaliban
Chapter2:TheTalibanmovementwarandconquestfromKandahartoKabul-Kandahar
Chapter3:TakingKabul,September26
Chapter4:ThebeginningofconflictswiththeUnitedStates,OsamabinLadenandal-Qaeda
Chapter5:Relationsandconflictswithneighbouringandregionalcountries
Chapter6:MullahOmar’snotablerevolutionarydecisions
Chapter7:Downfall
Chapter8:CompletecollapseoftheTalibangovernment
Chapter9:Formation/Structureofnewgroupsforresistanceandlatestprocesses
OtherbookspublishedbyFirstDraftPublishing
Dr.MikeMartin:
Foreword
TheTalibanhavebeenthesubject,ormorepreciselytheobject,ofawidevarietyofscholarlyandjournalisticworks.Indeed,alargenumberofbookshavebeenwrittenaboutAfghanistan’srecenthistory—sincetheCommunistrevolutionandtakeoverinApril(Saur)1978—yetinsightaboutAfghanistan,andparticularlytheTaliban,issurprisinglyhardtocomeby.
Often,littleiswrittenbeyondtiredclichésoftheTaliban’streatmentofwomenorstereotypedviewsoftheirrelationshipwithal-Qaeda.Theyarebarbaric,primal,almostanimal.MostworksontheTaliban,withoneortwonotableexceptions,donotstrayfromthesecentralnarratives.Whyisthis?
Forme,theanswerliesinthetangledandemotiveconceptofotherness,sowelldescribedbyEdwardSaidinhisnow-classicwork,Orientalism,whichcameoutthesameyear—1978—astheSaurRevolutioninAfghanistan.TheTalibanaretheother.Perhapsamongthemostextremeexamplesoftheotherthatweas“Westerners”,or“Progressives”,or“Liberals”,(allloadedterms,Iaccept)arefacedwithinthemodernday.
Howcanoneunderstand,forexample,thelashingandbeatingofwomenforwearingshoesthatmakeanoise?Theremovalofmusic—thatbasichumantherapy—fromthepublicsphere?Thedestructionofirreplaceableartwork?Onecannot.AndbyotheringtheTaliban,wecondemntheseactsbut,moreimportantly,wereinforceoursenseofwhoweare,ourselves.Westandintensiontothem.
ThisisnowaytodevelopunderstandingofAfghanistan,andthoseinvolvedandwrappedupintheAfghanconflict;wearelucky,therefore,tohaveTaliban:ACriticalHistoryfromWithinbyAbdulHaiMutma’in.
Mutma’inistheTaliban’smostwell-knownmediaoperator,workingaspersonal
Mutma’inistheTaliban’smostwell-knownmediaoperator,workingaspersonalspokesmanoftheTalibanleader,MullahOmar,formorethanadecade.HestandswitnesstotheinnerworkingsofthecentralhierarchyoftheTaliban,fromtheirascenttopower,throughtheperiodoftheTalibangovernmentanditscollapse,aswellastheirre-emergenceasareactiontothegovernmentandinternationalactorsinthepost-2001period.
OnonelevelTaliban:ACriticalHistoryfromWithinisapersonalmemoir.Assuch,weshouldexpectittobesubjectiveandweightedtowardstheauthor,andthosewithwhomhehassympathy.Itisallthesethings;verymuchso.Thissomewhatdiminishesitsvalueasaninsider’saccountoftheTaliban.
ButthissubjectivityisinitselfusefultothescholarasitshowsushowtheTaliban,andMutma’inwishtobeperceived.WelearnabouttheTaliban’sworldview.Andthisiswherethesubjectivebiasoftheauthorisatitsmostuseful.AstheAfghanwarcyclesandcontinues,andentersnewphasesofhopefulpeacenegotiations,thisinformationbecomesevermoreimportant.
Additionally,andasalreadyhighlighted,theliteratureonAfghanistandrawsfromaremarkablysmallsetofdata.Thenumerousgeneralhistoriesoftheperiodcoveredbythisbookoftendrawfromthesamedata;thesameanecdotesandpointsofviewoftenappearinseveralworks.
Taliban:ACriticalHistoryfromWithincoversthesameevents,fromtheriseoftheTalibanmovementin1994,throughtheperiodoftheTalibanEmirate,whenthemovementcontrolledKabulandupto90%ofthecountry(1996-2001),tothefalloftheTaliban(2001)andthepost-2004resurgenceofthemovement.Buttheyarecoveredindetailenoughtodelightahistorian.
Butmostimportantly,inmyopinion,Mutma’in’sbookrevealsthecomplexitiesofandwithintheTalibanmovement,whereourunderstandingofthemisdominatedthroughseeingothersassimplisticandevil.InTaliban:ACriticalHistoryfromWithinwelearnoftheTaliban’sownstruggleswithfactionalisationwithinthemovement;welearnofthedifficultiesindealingwithforeignpowersthatwenormallyascribeasfriendlytotheTaliban;andwelearnofjusthowextensivelytheTalibanareintertwinedwiththemujahedeen(andcommunist)landscapeinAfghanistanfromthe1980s.
InaworldwheretheBritishgovernmenttriestosuppressliteraturethattellsAfghanstoriesfromthewar,orinwhichtheBritishlibrarydeclinestohostanarchiveofTalibandocumentsbecauseitisworriedaboutcontraveninganti-terrorlaws,AlexStrickvanLinschotenandFelixKuehnandtheirpublishinghouseFirstDraftPublishingaretobeapplauded.
Itisonlythroughthestudyoftheotherthatwecanhopetobringanendtoconflict.
MikeMartinLondonJuly2019
Preface
IwasaroundthreeorfouryearsoldwhentheCommunistsledthebloodiestcoupinAfghanistan.KhADpersonnelwerearrestingthefaithful.Oneday,afewuglymoustachedmenknockedonourdoor.Myfatherleftwiththemandthenhenevercameback.Weneversawhimagain.
Afterayear,Ibegantounderstandthatthiskindpersonwasnolongerwithme.Poverty,acoldfireplace,andmyoldclothesmadeitevident–Iwasanorphan.Everymanwithamoustachelookedlikemyfather’smurderer.Myuncletookuswithhimtoanothervillage,andwenolongerhadahomeofourown.
WhentheAfghancommunistswereunabletocontrolthesituation,theybroughtintheSovietcommunistsalongwiththeirkilleraeroplanes.TheRedArmycreatedasituationliketheDayofJudgmentintheentirecountry.Wewerenottheonlyunfortunateorphanedchildrenwhosedaysofplayingweremarkedbyflamesandfire,murders,andaerialbombardment.Man-madetechnologyseemedmorebrutaltousthanhumans.WecalledtheRussianconvoyofwar,weapons,tanksandvehiclesquwwa–force.
Inthenameofpunishingmiscreants,RussianforcesusedtoentervillagesandshowtheirbrutalitytoAfghans.Theytargetedeverylivingbeingincludingchildrenandanimals.Duringourchildhood,wealwayssawbloodstainedcorpsesandbombedhouses,andthenameoftheRedArmywasakintothunder.
Oneday,Iwokeup,washedmyface,andhadmybreakfastofgreenteaanddrybread.Iheardtheheavysoundsoftanksandscreamsoffear.Iwasscared.Thevillagersfreedtheiranimalssotheycouldescape.Peoplewererunninginthestreetsliketheirhouseswerehaunted.Women,oldmen,andchildrenwereallrunningonthepath,sometimeslookingbehindthem.MyelderbrotherandIwenttothefields,andranalongsideadeepnarrowcanal.Wefeltthedangerfromthehelicoptergunfireandhidinadrycanalfilledwithstonesandbranches.Wewerefearfulandspentalldayhidinginthecanalwithoutmoving
branches.Wewerefearfulandspentalldayhidinginthecanalwithoutmovingandtalkingtoeachother.
Whentheforcesleftintheafternoon,fathersandmothersstartedtosearchfortheirchildrenandanimalsinthefields.Aschildren,weunderstoodthateventhoughwewereyoung,wecouldnotsaveourselvesfromarmedmen.
WhenIseepicturesofbombedSyrianhousesandchildrenburiedunderneaththerubbleofdestroyedhousesitremindsmeofmychildhood.Arehumansofthetwenty-firstcenturystillsobrutal?
Wewereraisedamidthesecomplexitiesofwar,andcompletedanIslamiceducation.Whilereligionintroducedustohumanity,wewerenotabletofindthatinoursociety.Thosewhostartedjihadtodefendthecountry,weneversawthathumanityinthemaswell.Therewasnothingtochangeourperceptionsthathumanbeingswere,inallreality,cruel,andmurderous.
AtaveryyoungagewewenttoPakistanforreligiouseducation.TherewesawtheinternalconflictsbetweentheAfghanmujahideengroups.Wesawthelavishlivesofsomeofthejihadileaders.ItwasgreatlyshamefulthatlikethemoustachedmenofKhAD,therewereafewbeardedwarwinnersinthestreetsofPeshawarwhowereinvolvedinthemurderofAfghanrefugeewritersandprofessors.
Afterthefallofthecommunistregime,wesawthebrutalityofthe‘warwinner’.Militantsinthecities,villages,andonthehighways.Later,thosebeardmurderers?ThosewhokilledAfghansinthenameoftheir‘westernsupporters’wereseenwalkingaroundthetownsofUnitedKingdomandGermanywearingtrousers,andsansbeards!!!
Thosewhokilledothersbecauseofareligiousedictturnedtheirbacksonthesamereligionforthesakeofpersonalinterestsanddesires.
IheardsomethingfromthewriterandpoetAbdulBariJahaniaboutthis.HerecountedseeingapoemonthedeskofafemalesingersentbyMullahAssadullahHanafi,amemberofajihadiorganisation,whohadrequestedhertosinghispoetry.ThefemalesingersangsongsforthoseKhalqipilotswhobombedourhouses.Butsherefusedtosinghispoetrybysayingthatthe
bombedourhouses.ButsherefusedtosinghispoetrybysayingthattheMullah’sroughwordswereheavytosing.
Afterjoiningthemadrassaweneverthoughtthatonedaywewouldneedweaponstocounterbrutality.Similarly,therewasatimewhenIconsideredtheneedtojointheTalibanmovement,butIneverthoughtthatIwouldcontinuethistilltheend.IthoughtIwouldresumemyIslamiceducationaftertwoyears.IcametothebuildingoftheculturalandinformationministryinasituationwhenIwasnotwillingtoleavethemovementortakeuparms.Butmyfatebecamemorecomplicatedbyjoiningthissoft-naturedorganisation,andthesocietyofverseandpoetry.TheheadoftheorganisationwenttoKabulandmyfriendsconsideredmeeligibletobeintroducedashead.Onthefirstday,Ifeltlikeangelswhisperedinmyears.Ibecamedubiousaboutmyfuture,butIconsoledmyselfthatafterayearortwoIwoulddefinitelygobacktothemadrassa.
OnApril11,1998,anincidenttookplacethatcompletelyimmersedmeinthepast.Iwasthinkingofmyfatherallday.IntheMiyanKohareainthenorthofKandaharcity,amassgravewasidentifiednearthebaseofamountainafteraconfessionbyaformerKhADcommunist.Iwasvisitingthesameareawithafewguests.Wesawafewpeopledigginginalargeditchanduncoveringhumanbones.ThiswasthemassgraveofIslamicscholarsandreligiouspeoplefromKandaharandthesurroundingprovinceswhowerekilledbyKhADafterthecoup.
Itriedtosearchforandreleasethemurderedcommunistofficialresponsibleforthismassgrave,workingwiththesonofSuleimanZerak,aformerKhADchief.Iwantedtoforgivethesewhitebearded,moustachedmurderersoutofIslamicforgivenessandhumanityandaffectionfortheiroldage.Itseemedbettertomethattheylivewiththeirchildrenandgrandchildren.Iwasforgivingmyfather’smurdererinthesamespirit.Ineverthoughtthatonedaytheywillagaindyetheirwhitebeardsandmoustachesandjoinhandswithinvaderstokillouroppressedprisoners.
WhenIreturnedtotheofficeintheevening.,Ipreparedanincidentreportbasedonmythoughts.Insteadoftheusualannouncer,Ipresentedtheeveningnewsontheradio.WhenIexitedthestudio,IfeltlikeIwasanorphanedchildandcriedovermyfather’sgrave.
overmyfather’sgrave.
IreceivedacallfromthelateGovernorofKandaharMuhammadHassanRahmani.HesaidthattheBBCwantedtotalktomeaboutthemassgraveofMiyanKoh;Iwillgivethemyournumber,tellthemwhatyoupresentedontheradio.
Ihadnevertalkedtoanymediauntilthen.Itwasonlybecauseofthegovernor’sstressingonthisthatItalkedtothem.Fortwodays,theseniorsecretaryofWakeelAhmadMutawakkildidnotanswertheBBC’sphonecall,andtheywereaskingmeabouthim.ItoldMutawakkilthattheBBCnewscasterisaskingaboutyou.MutawakkilwassittingwithMullahMuhammadOmarMujahidandbecauseofthephone’sspeaker,MullahOmarheardmyvoice.Iheardanothervoice;aftersometimeMutawakkiltoldmethatMullahSahibsaysyoushouldtalktotheBBC.Thiswasnewtome,soIdeclined.Mutawakkilsaid:Iamnottheonesayingthis,thisisaccordingtoMullahOmar’sinstructions.
Iwasunawareofthedetailsoftheissue,andIhadnoexperienceoftalkingaboutpoliticalincidents.Ithenlookedfordetailsoftheincident,andthismarkedmystartasanofficialspokesperson.Icontinuedasspokespersonthroughoutthenextfouryearsofcrises,andrepresentedMullahOmarinthemediaonnationalandinternationalissues.
Theyearspassedbyveryquickly,andwereengagedinothernews,andinconflicts.WethoughttheSovietsarebrutes,andtheWesternworldloveshumans.Itseemedverystrangetousthattheseloversofhumanitywouldbombourhouses,killourwomenandchildren,andscareoursleepingchildrenatnight.
WhenAmericanwarplanesbombardedKandaharforthefirsttime,aseveredlimbofayoungKandaharigirlwasfoundinadestroyedhouseatMadadKhanSquareinKandahar.Therewerenosignsofherbody.ThisleglookedlikethefirsttableaufromtheUSinvadersfordepressedAfghans.
Ontheotherhand,theWesternmedia,Afghanspokespeople,andlistenerswerepraisingtheUSinvaders’weaponsandforces.Afewoftheold‘warwinners’fromthemujahideenwerewaitingforbiggerbombstobeused.
MytimeasaspokespersonwasverycomplexandbesetwithcrisesforAfghanistanandtheTalibanonaregionalandinternationallevel.
Thesepagesmostlycontainthesesecrets,informationandincidents.Ihavepresentedthisintheformofstories;andotherinformationispresentedasareference.Thisbookisnotaformofjudgment.Itisnotissuedfromapersonalpulpit,norisitbasedonsomeone’sdoing,orasacampaignforanyone.ThisisatruestorybasedonincidentsthatIobservedorheard.ThisbookwillnotpleasethosewhoareinlovewiththeTaliban,northosewhohatetheTaliban.Ihopeitisagoodsourceofinformationforthepeoplewholieinbetweenthesetwocategories,andthatitservesasabeneficialread.
ItispossiblethattheinformationthatIreceivedfromothersisunclear;thisshouldn’tbeconsideredapersonalshortcoming.ButinthosepartswhereIdiscusstheinformationIreceived,theremightbeanunwillinginclination,whichisahumanweakness.ThereareafewrealitiesthatIhavetohideduetoseriousconstraints.Ihopereaderswillforgivemysilenceovertheseissues.WeliveintheEast,andunfortunatelythereisalowleveloftolerance,andoneisbesetwithdifficulties.Eventhosewhoclaimfreedomofexpressionareagainstourstatements.
Withloveandrespect,AbdulHaiMutma’in
Chapter1:ThemeaningandrootsofthewordsTalib
andTaliban
Theworldwasintroducedtoanewnamebytheendofthe20thcentury:‘Taliban.’Thiswordwasnotnewformostpeople.TalibisanArabicwordtakenfromtheword‘Talib-e-ilm’,whichmeanslearnerorstudent.InArabic,thepluralis‘Talba,Talaab,andTaliboon.’IntheArabworld,studentsofschoolsanduniversitiesareknownas‘TalabulJamia’or‘TalabulMadaris’iftheyarestudentsofreligiousstudies,modern,orsocialeducation.
InIndiaandPakistan,thewords‘Talba’and‘Talbat’areusedforreligiousormoderneducation.InAfghanistan,studentsofmoderneducationareknownas‘Muhasileen’or‘Muta’limeen’whicharealsoArabicwords,andreligiousstudiesstudentsareknownasTalib,andthepluralTalibanisusedinsteadoftheArabicplurals.Similarto‘Yaran’,‘Dostan’and‘Afghanan’,TalibanisaPashtoplural.
Fromahistoriccontext,inPersiaandKhorasan,likeotherpartsoftheIslamicworldduringtheOttomanCaliphate,theteachersofliteratureandethicswereknownas‘Muallimeen’or‘Muadabeen.’Slowlythesewordschanged,anditnowpopulartousethewords‘Mullah,Maulvi,Maulana.’
InAfghansociety,themullahwhoreceivedreligiouseducationisknownas‘maulvi’.Thewordmaulviistakenfromthewordmaulana,whichmeansowner,honourableorawiseperson.Theobjectivehereisthethirdmeaning.Apersonwhoisaffiliatedwithreligiousstudiesisgenerallyknownasamullah.
‘Akhund’isaPersianwordusedforteacher.ThewordissometimesusedinPashtoalongwithmullah,forexample,‘MullahBurjanAkhund.’
Theword‘Akhund’isalsousedinAfghanistanbytheShi’acommunityfortheirImamorShi’aMullah,andtheycalltheirMullahs‘akhoondan.’ButinPashto,thiswordisusedinadifferentcontext,asaninsult.Whensomeoneintroducesa
thiswordisusedinadifferentcontext,asaninsult.WhensomeoneintroducesaMullahasahalfMullah,theysay:‘HeisnotaMullahbutanAkhund.’
InKhyberPakhtunkhwa,thesonofanIslamicscholarisknownas‘Akhunzada’;theactualwordis‘Akhundzada’whichmeansthesonofamullahorakhund.ThishonorificisnormallyusedforaseniorIslamicscholar’sson.
Theword‘sahibzada’isalsousedforthesonsofIslamicscholars,Sufis,andrighteouspeople.InthePashtodialect,thiswordisgenerallypronouncedas‘sabzada’or‘sawzada.’Thetitleof‘sahibhaq’or‘sabihaq’isalsousedforthesonofateacheroranIslamicscholar.
AFGHANISTANANDTHETALIBCULTURE
TheTaliban’sculturaleducationdatesbackcenturiesinAfghanistan.Therewereverylimitedofficialmadrassastoprovidereligiouseducation.GenerallyeveryIslamicscholarhadlimitedstudentsdependingonhiscapacity.Alongwiththemosque,hehadoneortworoomsforthestudents’residence.Talibancalledit‘hujra’or‘deirah.’Foodwasprovidedbypeopleaffiliatedwiththemosque.IslamicscholarswhowereabletoprovidereligiouseducationwereImamsoflargemosques,andoneortwobigvillageswereaffiliatedwiththemosque.TheresidentsvoluntarilyprovidedfoodtotheImamandTalibanbecauseoftheiraffectionforreligion.Childrenweresenttohousesforcollectingfood;theyareknownas‘Charyan’or‘Chani’inKhyberPakhtunkhwa.Thereweretwotypesofstudentsinthesesmalleducationcentres.Thefirstwerethosewhocamefromnearbyareasforreligiouseducationanddidn’thaveassociatedexpenses.Theotherswerestudentswhocamefromfarawayareastostudybecauseofthescholar’spopularity.Theylivedthereduringtheweek,andwouldgohomeeveryThursdayafternoonandreturnonFriday.Afewstayedthereformonths,evenyears,remaininguntilthecompletionoftheireducation.Facinghardshipandhungerandasenseofhelplessnesswhileundertakingreligiouseducationisconsideredamatterofprideandgoodfortune.
ReligiousteachersalwaystelltheirstudentsthatfacinghardshipsforeducationisnotanewthinginIslamichistory.WorldfamousIslamicscholarsfacedadversityforreligiouseducation.PersonalitieslikeImamBukharifacedchallengesinthesearchofHadith.
challengesinthesearchofHadith.
Theygivetheexamplesof‘AshabeSuffa’andsaythatthepracticeofneedystudentsresidingtogetherbeganduringthelifeofProphetMuhammad(peacebeuponhim.)AshabeSuffawerethosecompanionsoftheProphetwhowerelearningIslamicrulingsandShariafromhim.Theyhadnoplacetostayandsotheylivedinaroomatopthemosquebuiltwithdatetreefrondsandbranches.ThatiswhytheyareknownastheAshabeSuffa.InIslamtheyareconsideredakeysourceofrighteousness,understandingofIslam,Seerah,andHadith.AbuHuraira(mayAllahbepleasedwithhim)–whoseactualnamewasAbdulRahman–wasthemostfamousstudentwhonarratedthemajorityofHadithfromProphetMuhammad(peacebeuponhim).Hefacedmanychallengesinthispath.Oneday,becauseofhunger,hewaslyingdownontheroutetotheNabawimosque,unabletomove.Hedidnotexpresshisconditiontoanyone.Peoplepassedbyhim.TheProphetMuhammad(peacebeuponhim)cameandtookhimhome.
AbuHuraira(MayAllahbepleasedwithhim)said:AshabeSuffa(Taliban)wereguestsofIslam;theyhadnofamily,wealth,oranythingelse.
DuringthelastfewcenturiesinAfghanistanandthesurroundingareas/region,religiouseducationwasmostlyprovidedthroughmadrassas.Thesearealsoknownashujraordars.Lateron,afewofficialandorganisedreligiouseducationcentreswereestablished.Someofthemwerepersonalendeavoursandotherswereofficial.Butthesemadrassashadorganisedlearningmethodology,classes,andexaminationrules.ThisincludesKabul'sArabicDarulUloom,AbuHanifahMadrassa,Nangarhar'sNajmulMadaris,Ghazni'sNoorulMadaris,AssadiaofBalkh,MuhammadiaofKandahar,Herat'sreligiousmadrassa,DarulUloomTakharistaninthenorth,andafewothersmallandlargemadrassas.
ItwasverydifficultforstudentstogainadmissiontothemadrassasrunbythefamousIslamicscholarsinAfghanistan.Itwasasourceofprideforstudentswhoobtainedadmission.Onlyintelligentstudentswereadmittedtosuchmadrassasafteraninterview.
TALIBANINJIHAD
IslamicscholarsplayedaleadingruleinthethreepopularwarsagainstBritain.
ManyIslamicscholarsandTalibanweremartyredduringthesewars.ThegraveyardsofTalibaninKandaharcity,Boldak,ShaheedanosquareinHerat,KandaharDarwazaareproofofthis.AccordingtotheAfghanhistorianAbdulShakoorRashad,allthesegravesareoftheTalibanwhoweremartyredfightingBritishforces.
InthewaragainstBritain,hundredsoffamousIslamicscholarstookpart,includingMullahMushkAalimAndar(whoserealnamewasDinMuhammad),MaulanaAbdulRazzaqAndar,NajmuddinAkhundzada,HajiSahibTurangzai,theHazratanfamilyfromShorBazaarinKabul,MaulanaAmirMuhammad,whowasmorefamouslyknownasChiknaroMullahSahib,SaidMuhammadAkbarShahknownasSarkannoMullahSahib,MawlawiAbdulKarimwhowentbyJanAbadMullahSahib,SheikhulMashaikhAbdulGhafoorfromSwat,MawlawiFaizMuhammad,andMawlawiAbdullahGhaznawi.Thelistisverylengthy.Eachofthesescholarshadhundredsofstudentswhoparticipatedinthesewars.
AmirAbdulRahman,whoworkedwiththecolonisersatthetime,writesinhisbookTajal-TawarikhabouttheIslamicscholarswhojoinedMuhammadAyubKhan,thevictorofthefamousMaiwandbattleagainstBritain.Hewrites:MuhammadAyubKhanhadverylimitedwarweaponsandfighters,buttheignorantMullahswhowereagainstmeannouncedjihad.ThiswasinfavourofMuhammadAyubKhan.TheysaidthatIamafriendofBritainandmyrivalisawinner.
ISSUESBETWEENAMANULLAHKHANANDISLAMICSCHOLARS
In1919,AmanullahKhanwasselectedasthekingofAfghanistanafterthemurderofhisfatherHabibullahKhan.DuetotheeffortsbyHazratanandIslamicscholars,AmirAmanullahKhandeclaredindependenceandjihadagainstBritaininthepresenceofthousandsofAfghansatKabul’sEidgahmosque.BritaindidnotaccepttheindependenceofAfghanistan,leadingtothethirdandlastwarbetweenAfghansandBritain.ManyIslamicscholarsparticipatedinthiswaralongwithAmanullahKhan’scommanders,includingtwosonsofKhawajaAbdulQayyumMujaddidi,Shamsul-MashaikhFazalMuhamamdMujaddidiandNoorul-MashaikhFazalOmarMujaddidifromtheHazratanfamily.NadirKhanwasthecommanderoftheTalbattlefield,and
Hazratanfamily.NadirKhanwasthecommanderoftheTalbattlefield,andShamsul-MashaikhFazalMuhammadMujaddidiwaswithhim.ShahWaliKhanwasthecommanderforthebattlefieldofWaziristan,andNoorul-MashaikhFazalOmarMujaddidiwassupportinghim.
DuringthebombardmentbyBritishwarplanes,thecommanderoftheeasternzoneSalihMuhammadKhanretreatedbecauseofminorinjuries.TheforcesfacedlossesandAmanullahKhanannouncedaceasefire.Afewreligiouspeopleandfighterswereunhappybecauseofthisannouncement.TheywantedallthoseareasbackfromBritainwhichhadbeentemporarilyseparatedfromAfghanistanduetoafamousagreementbetweenAmirAmanullahKhanandGeneralDurand.AsBritaindidnotfollowthisagreementandrepeatedlyattackedAfghanistan;thiswasnotlegitimateanymore.AfghansontheothersideoftheDurandLineweredisheartenedbecauseofthis.
OnAugust19,1919,BritainacceptedtheindependenceofAfghanistan.KingAmanullahKhanawardedtheofficial‘SunMedals’totheHazratsandgavethemthetitles‘Shamsul-Mashaikh’and‘Noorul-Mashaikh’.
OnDecember10,1927,AmanullahKhanandhiswifewentonalongtourofEurope.InJune1928,hereturnedtoAfghanistan,andmadesurprisinglyunexpectedannouncementslikeimposingabanontheveil(thehijab),Shariadressandthecalltoprayer(adhan)inKabul,callingforthefreedomofwomen,adaptationofEuropeanlifestyleandclothing,andplacinglimitationsandabanonIslamiceducation.
Hefaceddifficultquestionsfromreligiousscholars,including‘Hazratan’,hispartnersinthewarforindependence.NoorulMashaikhmigratedtotheindependenttribalareasandlivedthereforfiveyears.Itissaidthathewasveryseriousinimplementinghisreforms,andpunishedthosewhoopposedhim.PeopleonbothsidesoftheDurandLineroseupagainsthimandAmanullahKhanleftthecountry.
AfghanresearchersandhistorianshavedifferentopinionsaboutAmanullahKhan'sreforms.AfewofficiallettersduringthereignofMuhammadZahirShah,andsomehistorybooks,declarethoseIslamicscholarsandclericswhoopposedAmanullahKhanafterhisEuropevisittobeBritishagents.Butafewthingshelpapersoninunderstandingthereality.Ifthosescholarsgaveevery
thingshelpapersoninunderstandingthereality.Ifthosescholarsgaveeverykindofsacrifices,whywouldtheyopposeAmanullahKhanwhenhestartsafriendshipwithEurope?IftheywereBritishagents,whydidtheysupportAmanullahKhaninawaragainstBritain?
TheAfghanhistorianHassanKakarvisitedKandaharduringourrule.Iwashishost.Wehadanin-depthdiscussiononthis.Istillrecallhiswords:‘ForwhatAmanullahKhanwantedtoimplementinthenameofreforms,themethodologyheadoptedwashislunacy.’ButKakar’sstatementscannotbecompletelytrustworthy.Inthepasttwodecades,owingtoachangeinthesituation,wecannotsayanythingabouthisrecentstatementsonthesame.Hewasaflattererandpraisedusexaggeratedlyduringourrule.Afterthefallofourgovernmenthebegantoopposeus.Itispossiblethathisstatementsweretransitoryandmadeforourpleasure.
AmanullahKhanwaswhathewas,butforthedevelopmentofthecountryheshouldhaveconsideredthenationalinterestsandrespecttoreligiousbeliefswithapositiveattitude.HeshouldhavegivenanAfghantouchtothisdevelopment,insteadofaWesterntouchandevileffortstochangethecultureandcriticisingreligiousvalues.Heshouldhavestartedthismovementsagaciouslyandinthecontextofthesituation,andinvitedthepublicandreligiousclasstojoinhim.Thiswouldhavebeenbeneficialforhim,thecountry,andthereligiousclass.
Accordingtohistorybooks,AmanullahKhanwantedpositivesocialchange.Hewasfractiousineveryaspectofhislife.Hewasirresoluteduringdifficulties.Asignofhiswilfulnesswasthathewouldbrandishapistolandissuedeaththreatsoversmallissues.Atthetimesofrealresistance,hepreferredtoescapeandleftthecountryandhisfollowers.
HedidnotresistlikeDaudKhanwithhisgununtildeath,nordidhesupporthisfollowersafterhisescape.Thisisaproofofhisineffectiveness.
AfterAmanullahKhan’sescape,therewasapowervacuumforsometimeuntilNadirKhancameintopower.Eventhoughthereligiousclasswascapableofjihad,theyweremarkedbyrighteousnessandasenseofreclusiveness.Theywerenotorganisedenoughtofillthisgap,thoughtheywerecapableofestablishingapowerfulnationalandIslamicrule.
establishingapowerfulnationalandIslamicrule.
Duringthispowervacuum,HabibullahKalakaniwastherulerwhomadeaforayintoKabulalongwithhissupportersafteranattack.Hesupportedreligiouslawsbutwasinexperiencedandincapableofhandlingadministrativematters.Intheend,NadirKhanremovedhimfromthegovernmentthroughaconspiracy,andhadhimexecutedinrevenge.
WhenNadirKhancameintopower,heannulledthereformsandafewnon-culturalchangesinstitutedbyAmanullahKhan,whichcalmedtheemotionsofthereligiousclassandthepublic.AftertheshortruleofNadirKhan,andduringMuhammadZahirShah’sreign,theconditionsforIslamicscholarswererelativelygood.Butthegapbetweenthegovernment’smoderneducationacademiesandIslamicscholarsincreased.Islamicscholarswerebusywithtraditionaleducation,whilethemodernacademiesweremovingawayfromreligiondaybyday.TheinfluenceofMarxistphilosophywasincreasingsteadily.ThebehaviourofschoolanduniversitystudentsgrewinsultingtowardsIslamicscholars.ThevoluntarysilenceofthegovernmentagainstthispracticegaverisetocommunisminAfghanistan.
INTERESTOFRELIGIOUSGROUPSANDINDIVIDUALSINPOLITICS
InallthreewarsagainsttheBritish,theresistancewasledbyIslamicscholars,andthethen-rulersacceptedtheirverdictanddecisionofresistance.Thereligiousclass,itspersonalitiesorfamilies,werevaluabletorulers.Thereligiousclasswasactiveinthepublicsphere,andatthattimetheydidnotfeeltheneedforapoliticalstructureoraspecialframework.Buttheygraduallyfelttheneedwiththechangeinthesituationandtrialsandtribulations.
NOORULMADARISANDKHUDDAMUL-FURQAN
DuringtheinitialruleofZahirShah,NoorulMashaikhFazalUmarMujadadibeganorganisingIslamicscholarsandcreatingpoliticalawareness.TheimpactofthiscanstillbeseeninAfghanistan.In1942,theNoorulMadarisMadrasawasestablishedbyMullahMushkAalimAndarinGhazni’sShalgardistrict.Thismadrassawasveryorganisedandalsohadprogrammesofpoliticalawarenessaswellasreligiouseducation.Theteacherswerereclusiveandonlyfocusedonteaching.Butafewteachers,administrators,andHazratanfamilymembersorganisedlecturesandprogrammesforpublicinformation,political
membersorganisedlecturesandprogrammesforpublicinformation,politicalandIslamicthoughts.ThisspurredmanysignificantpersonalitiesinIslamicideologyandjihadtoarisefromthismadrasa,anditseffectsspreadacrossthecountry.ThisledtotheestablishmentoftheKhuddamul-Furqanorganisation,whichstartedanideologicalandpoliticalstruggle.Thisorganisationpublishedamagazinecalled‘NidaeHaq’thatwasoftenbannedbythegovernmentbecauseofpoliticalcriticism.Khuddamul-FurqanwasledbyMuhammadIsmailMujadadi,thesonofZiaulMashaikhFazalUmarMujadadi.HisdeputywasMawlawiNasrullahMansoor.MawlawiAbdulSattarSiddiquiwasresponsibleforNidaeHaq.MawlawiRahimullahZurmatiwasinchargeofthemagazineafterhim,andremainedsountiltheend.Thisorganisationandmadrasaofferedreligiouseducationalongwithinculcatingpoliticalawareness.Themadrasahadclassesuptothe16thgrade;includingsecondaryschooltillthe12thgrade.TheHadithcoursewascompletedbythe16thgrade.OneoftheSheikhulHadithwasagraduatefromDeoband,andsotheHadithcourseofferedwasasperthatoftheDeobandMadrassa.TheSahihBukhari,SahihMuslim,SunanAbiDawud,SunanTirmidhi,MuwattaImamMalik,SunanNisaiandSunanIbnMajahweretaught.ThemainfocuswasonSahihBukhari,SahihMuslimandJamiaTirmidhi.
TheKhuddamul-Furqanorganisationgraduallyspreadtomodernacademies.DuringZahirShah’srule,theleadersoftheorganisationorganisedhugeprotestsagainstafewanti-Islamicactivities.Theprotestcontinuedforafewdays.ThegovernmentwasscaredofapublicrevoltandsoitbeganacrackdownagainstIslamicscholars.Manywereimprisoned.Theprotestsendedbecauseofassurancesbythegovernment,buttheanti-Islam,andparticularlythecommunistelementsinthegovernment,becamesensitivetotheHazratanfamily.WhileZahirShahwasonavisittoItaly,hiscousinDaudKhanunseatedhiminacoup.
DaudKhanwasmostlysurroundedbycommunists.TheproblemsincreasedfortheKhuddamul-Furqanbutthegovernmentwasawareofthefamily’sbackground,andwasnotabletopressurisethemfurther.Intheyear1385,duringthecommunistcoup,allthefamilymembersofHazratan,saveoneortwochildrenandwomen,wereinitiallyimprisonedandlaterexecuted.OnehundredmembersoftheMujaddidifamilywereexecutedincommunistprisons.
membersoftheMujaddidifamilywereexecutedincommunistprisons.HundredsandthousandsofKhuddamul-Furqanmembersandfollowerswereimprisoned,andthemajorityofthemwerelaterexecuted.ThefollowersofthisinfluentialfamilylaterjoinedjihadiorganisationsliketheHarakatInquilabIslami,Hizb-eIslamiofMawlawiMuhammadYunusKhalis,Nijat-eMilli,Ittehad-eIslamiandstartedjihad.NotedpersonalitiesincludedMawlawiNasrullahMansoor,MawlawiJalaluddinHaqqani,MawlawiShafiullah,MawlawiRafiullahMuazan,MawlawiAbdulSattarSiddiqui,MawlawiRahimullahZurmati,Kandahar’sfamouscommanderLalaMalang,Zabul’sfamouscommanderMullahMusaKalimandotherfamousjihadicommandersaroundAfghanistan.
IKHWANISMANDISLAMICMOVEMENT
AftertheFirstWorldWar,thelastvestigeoftheIslamiccaliphateundertheleadershipoftheTurkishOttomansfellvictimtotheconspiraciesofWesternpowers.TheIslamicworldfelttheneedforunity.Asaresult,thefirstCaliphatemovementstartedintheIndiansubcontinent,andDeoband'sIslamicscholarsplayedamajorrole.ThismovementwascrushedbytheBritish,butitservedtoawakentheMuslimsofthesubcontinent.In1928,anIslamicscholarcalledHasanal-BannaandhisfriendsestablishedtheMuslimBrotherhood(Ikhwanul-Muslimeen)movement,whichaimedtoimplementIslamicShariainEgypt.
OvertimethismovementbecameveryinfluentialinEgypt.In1948,whenPalestinelostitsindependence,theIkhwanul-MuslimeenstartedraisingslogansofresistanceandforthedefenceofPalestinianindependenceandbeganstrugglingforthiscause.Thesloganof‘Palestineindependence’increasedthepopularityofthismodernIslamicmovementinEgyptandneighbouringArabcountries.Fearingthepopularityofthisexpandingorganisation,theEgyptianrulerMahmoodFahmiNuqrashiPashaannouncedthattheIkhwanmovementwasillegal.TheIkhwanul-Muslimeen’sassetswereconfiscatedandmanyofitsmemberswereimprisoned.Thefollowersofthemovementwereenraged,anditisbelievedthattheEgyptianrulerNuqrashiwaskilledon28December1948byafewIkhwanmembers.Inrevenge,therulersofthenewgovernmentexecutedHassanal-Banna.Afterthis,themovementfacedmanyproblemsandbans.HindranceswerecreatedbecauseoftheinterferenceofBritaininEgyptiansociety.In1954,theIkhwanul-MuslimeenwasblamedforthemurderofGamal
AbdulNasser.AboutahundredkeymembersofIkhwanwereimprisonedforfifteenyears.OneofthefamouspeopleamongthesewasSayyedQutb,whowrotemanywell-knownbooksaboutIslamicideologyandstruggle.Healsowroteafamousbookofinterpretation,FiZilalal-Quran.HewasreleasedforaperiodbutrearrestedandthenexecutedonAugust29,1966.
ThismovementinfluencedneighbouringArabcountriesandotherIslamicmovementsintheMuslimworld.InthepursuitofIslamicpoliticalpower,Muslimsindifferentcountries,includingAfghanistanandPakistan,adoptedsimilarpatterns.ThefollowersofthismovementareknownasIkhwanis,orfollowersofIkhwanism.
InPakistan,theJamaat-eIslami,undertheleadershipofMaulanaMaududi,isconsideredthefollowersofIkhwanul-Muslimeen.DuringtheruleofZahirShahinAfghanistan,anIslamicmovementgroup(IslamiNahdat)wasestablishedduring1331or1332byagroupofIslamicstudentsandteachersatKabul’sShariaCollege.ThisgroupwaslaterknownasfollowersofIkhwanism.Afterthecommunistcoup,threeofthejihadiorganisationswereconsideredtobethepoliticalandideologicalheirsoftheIslamiNahdatmovement.
ThefounderofthisgroupwasGhulamMuhammadNiazi,aresidentofAndardistrictinGhazni.HewasheadoftheShariaCollegeatKabulUniversity,andhadcompletedhishighereducationfromEgypt’sAlAzharUniversity.HewasinfluencedbytheideologyoftheIkhwanisandstartedasimilarkindofpoliticalstruggleinAfghanistan.ThereisanothertheorythatGhulamMuhammadNiaziwasthesourceoftheideology,andhisstudentAbdulRahimNiaziwasthefounder.
ThemainfollowersofthismovementwerekilledduringtheruleofDaudKhanandthecommunists.AfewIslamicscholarsalsojoinedthismovement.ProfessorNiazihadtieswithrenownedIslamicscholarsandtooktheiradviceonseveralissues.
Inmoderneducationcentres,thismovementcameintoexistenceagainstLeninist-Marxistideologyandtheanti-Islammovements.Thethen-rulerswerealsosupportingthisideologyandthesemovements.AfteracoupagainstDaudKhan,keymembersofthismovementwereimprisonedandexecuted.Some
Khan,keymembersofthismovementwereimprisonedandexecuted.SomememberswereforcedtomigratetoPakistan.
In1385,afterthecommunistcoup,theIslamicmovementmemberswerenotabletouniteunderonejihadiorganisation.TheJamiat-eIslamiandtheHizb-eIslamiconsideredthemselvestobetheactualheirsoftheIslamicmovement.Thesecontestsledtojockeyingbetweenthesegroupsforpoliticalpower.
Therewereotheractiveindividuals,smallgroups,andassociationsandorganisationsofIslamicscholarsandspiritualfigures,buttheywerenotinfluentialatthislevel.
THECOMMUNISTCOUPANDTHESTARTOFJIHAD
DuringtheruleofDaudKhan,theKhalqandParchamcommunistswereveryinfluential.DaudKhanwasafraidofIslamists,andhetrustedcommunists.Duringthelastdaysofhisrule,hisrelationshipsworsenedwiththeUSSRleaderBrezhnev.DuringameetinginMoscow,BrezhnevexpressedhisconcernoverthepresenceofNATOtechniciansinnorthernAfghanistan,andDaudKhanrespondedrudely.Thetalksendedwithoutaresult.DaudKhandecidedtoexpelcommunistsfromthegovernmentatthattime,butthecommunistsfollowedintheSoviets’footprintandattemptedabloodycoup,firstintheleadershipoftheKhalqparty,andbecametherulers.Afteraboutsixteen-and-a-halfmonthsHafizullahAminkilledthegovernmentleaderNoorMuhammadTarakiandtookpower.HafizullahAminwaskilledbytheParchamparty,andBabrakKarmal–alongwiththeSoviets–cametoKabulonarmouredtanks.ThiswaspracticallythestartoftheUSSRinvasion.
ThecommunistswereunawareofAfghans’ideology,beliefsandculture.Theywereinitiallynotrejectedbypeople.Veryfewpeoplestoodbythemforthesakeofresourcesandpersonalinterests,orbecauseoffear.Themajorityshowedthattheyweresensitivetothem.Theybrutallytargetedpeoplewhohadadifferentideologyorwhopracticallyopposedthem.Thereligiousclasswastargeted,andeveryIslamicscholarandspiritualpersonalitywhohadsomepublicsupportwasforciblydisappeared.ApproximatelyonehundredthousandpeopleincludingIslamicscholars,spiritualleaders,andmembersofIslamicmovementswentmissing,andthenationcametoknowoftheirmartyrdomoveradecadelater.
Islamicscholarsplayedtheactualroleinthisjihad.InAfghanistan’sfar-flungareas,peopleattackedgovernmentbuildingsandofficialsusingjuststicks,axesandspades.Thisrevolutionwasledbythelocalmullahs.DuringDaudKhan’srule,Pakistan-basedIslamiststriedtobeginjihadagainstthegovernment,buttheydidnotreceiveapositiveresponsefrompeople.Butitwaswhenthemullahsannouncedjihadthatpeoplebegantofightwiththeiraxesandsticks.Thisrevolutiongavelifetotheanti-USSRworld,whosupportedthemujahideenandprovidedsheltertorefugees.
FORMATIONOFMUJAHEDEENGROUPSINPAKISTAN
DuringDaudKhan’stime,afewIslamistswereinhidinginPakistan.TheystartedorganisingAfghanstocreateanationalresistance.Theseorganisationsunitedtwiceunderoneleader,andthensplitagain.Afterthecoupin1358,BurhanuddinRabbani,GulbuddinHekmatyar,MawlawiMuhammadYunusKhalis,MawlawiJalaluddinHaqqani,MawlawiNasrullahMansoorandtheirfriendswerelookingforanorganisedandunitedjihadgroup.DuetoeffortsbyIslamicscholars,theyagreedtouniteundertheleadershipofMawlawiMuhammadNabiMuhammadiintheHarakatInquilabIslamiorganisationthatyear.ThisalliancesplitwhenRabbaniandHekmatyarwithdrewinthesameyear,butmostIslamicscholarsremainedinMawlawiMuhammadNabi’sorganisation,asdidMawlawiMohammadYunusKhalis.
In1358,AbdulRabRasulSayyafwenttoPeshawar,andanalliancewasformedbetweentheHizb-eIslami(Hekmatyar),Jamiat-eIslamiandtheHizb-eIslami(MawlawiKhalis).Sayyafwasselectedasleaderofthistemporaryalliance.Butafterafewmonths,theunitedorganisationsblamedSayyafforfinancialcorruptionandthisalliancesplit.MawlawiKhalisprobablywroteaboutthisinamagazinetitled‘DaMasooliatAhsasdeMasnoniatZaminDe.’
SayyafregisteredaseparateorganisationwithPakistanandforeignauthoritieswiththesamename,andreceivedsignificantfundsandweapons.InitiallyhisorganisationhadnomajorroleinAfghanistan.ThosecommanderswholefttheirgroupsbecauseofashortageoffundsandweaponsjoinedSayyaf’sorganisation.Duringthelastdaysofthejihad,onlyafewcommanderscameforwardfromSayyaf’sgroup.
Sayyafwasfacingalackofmanpower,buthehadenoughweaponsandfunds.Therewereafewcommandersinsearchofthis,andafewreceivedweaponsandlatersoldthemformoney.Thisorganisationwasagoodsourceforsuchactivities.
OneofSayyaf’ssuccesseswasthatheattractedArabmujahedeenbymakinghimselfpopularintheArabworld.HisfriendshipwithArabs,particularlyhiscloserelationshipwithAbdullahAzzam,openedthedoorforsupportfromgovernmentandcharityorganisations.
Inspecialmeetingsandfundingevents,Sayyafrequestedfundsasarepresentativeofallmujahedeen,butkeptmostofthefundsinhisorganisation’sname.
Sincethemullahandhisfollowershadamajorroleinthepublicuprising,everygroupthathadmoremullahswasinitiallystrong.MostofthemullahclassjoinedHarakatinitiallyunderMullahMuhammadNabi’sleadership,becauseHarakathadmorepublicsupportthanotherjihadiorganisations.Butbecauseofshortcomingslikeindiscipline,disorder,theshortageofweaponsandinternaldisputes,thisorganisationgraduallygrewweaker.ThemanycommandersofHarakatjoinedwealthierorganisations.ThesecondbigorganisationwastheJamiat-eIslamiledbyBurhanuddinRabbani,whichhadinfluentialcommanderslikeAhmadShahMassoudandIsmailKhan.
Hizb-eIslamiwasthird,andremainedsotilltheend.
InPakistan’spropaganda-filledenvironment,theHizb-eIslamiwasintroducedastheleadingmajororganisation.Pakistanandothersupportersprovidedhugefundsandweaponsbeyondtheircapacity.Theywereverystrongintheirpropaganda,andafewPakistaniorganisationsanddepartmentsalsosupportedthem.
SincetheworldwasobservingthemujahedeenfromPeshawar,afewforeignersalsohadsimilarviews.EventheRussiangeneralBorisGromoverredinhisreminiscenceofHekmatyar.HewroteabouttheKandaharbattleoftheSovietsagainstMullahNaqibandanotherHarakatgroupthatlastedfortydays.HesaysthisbattlewasveryintensebecauseHekmatyaralsocametothebattlefield.But
everyoneinKandaharknewthattheseforceswerefightingagainstMullahNaqib’smilitantsandotherHarakatmujahedeen.AnarmedMullahBurjanfromPanjwaibrokethesiege.MullahNaqibwasassociatedwithHarakatandlaterjoinedJamiat.Similarly,thedestroyedtanksandhelicoptersinsomeareasweretheworkofothergroups,buttheHizbpressmembersusedimagesofthemintheirweeklyandothermagazines,andclaimedtheseastheiractivities.ThisiswhyHizb-eIslamiwasknownasaleadingmilitantorganisationinPeshawar’smilieu,buttherealitywasverydifferent.
OnthecommunitylevelinAfghanistan,Harakat,HekmatyarandKhalishadsixtypercentmorejihadipersonnel,whileJamiat(insideAfghanistan)didn’tevenhave20percent.ButJamiatwasdistinctivebecauseoftwogreatcommanderslikeAhmadShahMassoudandIsmailKhan,aswellasbycontrollingthegovernmentrecruitmentofnewcommandersduetotheirfinancialresources.
AhmadShahMassoudandIsmailKhanwereonlyattributedtobeingfromJamiat.Theyconsideredthemselvesasseparatepowersonaregionallevel.MassoudnamedhisorganisationShuraNizaar,andIsmailKhanledaShurabasedinthreeprovinces.ThestrengthandpopularityofthesecommandersalsoshowsthattheyforcedminorcommandersoftheJamiatandotherorganisationsthatuseddifferenttacticstofollowthem.Itissaidthattheyexecutedafewminorcommandersbecauseoftheiropposition.ItisthoughtthatIsmailKhanmysteriouslykilledafewcommandersfromHeratandBadghis.Massoudisalsoaccusedofkillingtensofcommanders;startingfromtheinitialdaysofJihadbykillinghisdeputyAmirPahlawanAhmadJan,whowasthetargetofaconspiracythathehadarelationshipwiththegovernment.
HIZBANDJAMIATINCONFLICT
Hizb-eIslamiandJamiatinitiallybeganapoliticalandpropagandawaragainsteachother,whichlatertransformedintoanarmedconflict.AyearbeforethecommunistcoupinAfghanistan,membersofdifferentmovementswhohadescapedfromDaudKhanhadjoinedoneparty.RabbaniandHekmatyarlatersplitfromthegroup,andHekmatyartriedtokillRabbaniandAhmadShahMassoud.TherewasanattemptedshootingatthehouseofthefamousmujahidcommanderAdamKhaninPeshawar.AccordingtoUstadYasirandMuhammad
commanderAdamKhaninPeshawar.AccordingtoUstadYasirandMuhammadZamanMuzammil,MassoudandRabbaniwereAdamKhan’sguests.HekmatyargavepistolstoHajjiDinMuhammad,MawlawiSarfarazandMawlawiZahidtokillthem.WhenAdamKhanunderstoodthesituation,hemanagedtoprotectRabbaniandMassoudjustintime.
AfterthedisintegrationoftheUSSRinthenorth,Hizbcommanderskilledtheiropponents,thegroupcommandersofAhmadShahMassoud.AhmadShahMassoudrespondedbykillingthefamousHizbcommanderSayyidJamalandsixotherkeycommandersinthenorth.Thewarbetweenthegroupsbeganaftertheseincidents,andalsoimpactedthebattlefieldofpropagandainPeshawar.
Hizb-eIslamiandJamiat-eIslamipublishedbooksandmagazinesagainsteachother,andusedroughlanguage.Areaderofthosepublicationscouldnotthinktheywerewrittenbyajihadigroup.Theytransgressedmorallimitsbyincludingsexualallegationsintheirpropaganda.IreadtheirpublishedmaterialduringmychildhoodinPeshawaranditincludedsuchthingsthataMuslimwritercannotwriteanddiscussindetail.
Hizb-eIslami’sdailynewspaperinPeshawarShahadatdidn’tjustuseindecentlanguageagainstJamiat-eIslamibutotherjihadiorganisationsaswell.In1989aphotoofanAfghangirlstandingbesidesanEnglishmanwaspublishedinShahadatwiththetext:‘SheisadaughterofMilliNijatgroupleaderSibghatullahMujaddidi.’TheydidnotevenverifyifshereallywasMujaddidi’sdaughter.Atthattime,MujaddidiwasaleaderoftheexiledtransitionalgovernmentinPakistan.EventhoughitwasconfirmedthenextdaythatMujaddidididn’thaveadaughter;thenewspaperneverapologised.
ThisbitteroppositionandthesemoralfailingsturnedKabultoashes.Ontheotherhand,Hizbintelligencememberswereaccusedofkillingrivalmujahedeen,commanders,membersofthepublic,andscholars.AnengineerfriendoncetoldmeastoryabouthowhewassittinginacarwithHajiMalikQamar,aahighrankingHizbintelligenceofficial.HepointedtowardsahouseinPeshawar,laughed,andsaidthatthepeopleofthishousedon’tknowhowmanypeopleIhavekilledandburiedinthecourtyardofthishouse.Hehadrentedthishouseandkilledandburiedpeoplethere.
Hekmatyarstoodoutbecauseofawell-organisedjihadiorganisationandasan
Hekmatyarstoodoutbecauseofawell-organisedjihadiorganisationandasanactiveleader.ButhealsosowedtheseedsofintoleranceinAfghanistan’sjihadiculture.Hewasveryaggressiveinpoliticsandpropaganda.Hetreatedrivalmujahedeenbrutallyinmilitaryandintelligence.Duringtheinitialdaysofwar,heconsideredhispoliticalandmilitaryopponentsasoneandthesame.
ROLEOFISLAMICSCHOLARSANDTALIBANINJIHADAGAINSTUSSR
Thereligiousclass–especiallythemullahswhohadsomepublicsupport–werethefirsttargetafterthecommunistcoup.AfghancommunistsopenlysaidthatcommunismsucceededintheUSSRafterStalinkilled20millionRussians.WewillalsokillafewmillionAfghans.
ButinAfghanistantheyneededtokillmorepeople–aspeoplewerenotreadytoacceptcommunismandmorethan90%ofthenationshouldhavebeenputontrial.CommunistsimplementedStalin’sphilosophytoanextentbykillinginnocentAfghans.IfAfghanshaddelayedtheirrevolutionagainstthem,itmighthaveleftawayforcommuniststoimplementtheirplantokillafewmillionAfghans.
OveramillionAfghanslosttheirliveswhileopposingcommunists.Mostwerekilledinself-defenceandresistanceinsteadofincaptivity.CommunismwasuprootedfromAfghanistanandothercountriesbecauseofthesesacrifices.Islamicscholarscomprisedamajorpartofthosewhoundertookthemilitaryandpoliticalstruggleagainstcommunism.TheTalibanmovementcameintoexistenceasacontinuationofthesamestruggle.
MILITARYSTRUGGLE
Thepeople’sverdictaboutthejihadandthenationalrevolutionwasissuedbythepublicly-supportedMullahs.InPaktia,MawlawiJalaluddinHaqqani,MawlawiNasrullahMansoor,MatiullahKhan,andMawlawiFaridMahmoodandmanyotherIslamicscholarsweretheleaders.InGhazni,QariBaba,MawlawiHayatullah(MullahKaka),MawlawiGulMuhammad,MawlawiNekMuhammad,MawlawiBahadurKhan,MawlawiMuazzan,MawlawiAbdulHakeem,MawlawiAbdulRahman,MawlawiFaqir,MullahFaizul-Haq(theAmiroftheNawadistrict),MullahAbdulSalam(HajiSalam),QariAbdullahDanish,QariAbdullahofJinnahAbadandthefrontsofmanywell-known
Danish,QariAbdullahofJinnahAbadandthefrontsofmanywell-knownIslamicscholars,TalibsandQaris.
InKabul,MawlawiShafiullahandhisbrotherMawlawiSiddiqullahwerefamousjihadis.ThecommandersofMawlawiMuhammadYunusKhalis,MullahMusaKalimstartedjihadinZabulandmostofhisgroupmemberswereTaliban.Priortohismartyrdom,alsoMullahMadadKhan.TheTalibanincludedMullahAbdulSalamRocketi,MullahAbdulKarim,MullahAbdulQahhar,andtheleaderofShajoiTalibanMullahAbdulGhani.MawlawiMuhammadYunusKhalishadthemostinfluenceinNangarhar.MawlawiJameelur-RahmanhadmanygroupmembersinKunar.InLaghman,MawlawiAbdulRahimHanafiwasafamousjihadi,whowaskilledbytheHizb-eIslami.InLogar,MawlawiAbdulAhmad(knownasHajiAbdulAhad)wastheregionalheadoftheHarakatInquilabIslami.MullahKhushal,MullahDawood,MawlawiMunawar,MullahKatim(whowasLogargovernorduringRabbani’srule)andmanyotherIslamicscholarsandTalibanwerecommandersofwell-knownjihadifrontsandgroups.
InPeshawar’spoliticalarena,thefamousIslamicscholarsfromLogarincludedMawlawiMuhammadNabiMuhammad(AmirofHarakatInquilabIslami)whowasaresidentofAbbasQala,Barakidistrict.MawlawiZabtoKhan,MawlawiMuhammadMeer,MawlawiMusaJan,MawlawiFazalAhmad,MawlawiHashmi,MawlawiSaidAkbarDilawar(thefatherofMawlawiShahabuddinDilawar)andMawlawiFurqaniareworthmentioning.InKandahar,MullahNaqibullah,MullahMalang,LalaMalang,MullahMuhammadRabbani,MullahBurjan,HajiMullahMuhammad,MullahNekMuhammad,MullahObaidullah,MullahMuhammadSadiq,MullahYarMuhammad,MullahFaizullahAkhundzada,MullahMuhammadUmarMujahid,MullahNooruddinTurabi,MullahAbdulGhaniBaradar,MullahMashar,MullahMohammadHassanRahmani,MasharMullahMuhammadGhausandmanyotherswerefamousMullahsandTalibanwhoeitherhadTalibanfronts,theywereleadingaJihadigrouporwerebusyinJihadinotherfrontsasdeputiesorcommonMujahideen.
InHelmandtherewerethefamousgroupsofNasimAkhundzada,RaisMullahAbdulWahid,MawlawiAttaMuhammadandMawlawiBazMuhammad.InUruzganMullahAbdulRahim,MawlawiAbdulGhani,MullahAbdullah,MullahMuhammadShafiq,MullahAbdulMalik,MawlawiJabbar,MullahRawiMuhammad,MullahMohammadAbbas,CommanderAbdulWadood,Mullah
Muhammad,MullahMohammadAbbas,CommanderAbdulWadood,MullahMuhammadSadiq,MullahMashar,MawlawiMuhammadSharifamongothers.
MawlawiJalaluddinHaqqaniandMawlawiNasrullahMansoorwieldedinfluenceinKhostandPaktia,whileMawlawiMansooralsoheldswayinPaktikaandGhazni.
MawlawiJalaluddinHaqqaniwasakeyjihadiforceinthearea.Hewasahigh-rankingIslamicscholarandhadabigmadrassaacrosstheborder.Hefoughtonthefrontline,andsomostofhisfightersweremadrassaTaliban.MostofhisgroupleaderswerealsoTaliban.HiscommandersincludedMullahRahimullah(Zadran),MullahDinMuhammad(MangalBaliKhel),MullahShahzada(Kandahar),MullahBadruddin(Paktia),MullahDawarKhan(Ghazni)andMullahShahWali(Ghazni).
Inthesouthandsouth-west,peoplewerefamiliarwithTalibanmilitantgroupsandtheirhabits,character,andcharacteristics.Butbecauseofpropagandaoralackofknowledge,afewpeoplesaidtheTalibanweremilitantgroupsorjihadigroupsexportedfromanothercountry.
ThepureTalibanfightersinthesefrontsinitiatedtheTalibanmovement.Peopleandthejihadisectionwerefamiliarwiththemintheirareasbecauseoftheirmoralityandfightingprowess.Thepublicsupportedthemimmediately,andthosemujahedeenandmullahswholefttherightpathwerenotabletoconfrontthem.Theykeptuparesistanceforaverylimitedtimeandpreferredtoescapelater.
POLITICALSTRUCTURES
TheHarakatorganisationhadapermanentpoliticalstructurecalledtheJamiatTalbaHarakat,whoseheadwasknownasthetalba’spresident.ExceptingthestruggleoftheJamiatinreligiousstudies,publications,andpoliticaleducation,theyhadnoinfluenceontheirorganisation’scommandersandmilitantsinAfghanistan.TheyhadofficesinPeshawarandQuetta.Talibanfromthecentral,eastern,andsoutheasternprovinceswereaffiliatedwiththePeshawaroffice,whilereligiousstudentsfromthewestern,southwesternandsouthregionhadarelationshipwiththeQuettaoffice.MawlawiWakeelAhmadMutawakkilheadedtheQuettaoffice,andMawlawiIhsanullahIhsanwastheheadofthe
Kandaharprovince.Theywouldlaterbecomewell-knownTalibanfigures.JamiatTalbaHarakatalsohadprovincialleaders.TheJamiat’smainobjectivewastocreateawarenessamongreligiousTalibanaboutregionalandinternationalpolitics,meetingsaboutkeydaysandissues,discussionsandarrangingeducationalprogrammes.
TheroleoftheJamiatTalbawasnotstrongandorganisedinMawlawiMuhammadNabiMuhammadi’sorganisation,becausetheattentionoftheleadershipwasnotconstant.AseparateHarakatgroupwasestablishedbyMawlawiNasrullahMansoor.TheTaliban’sstructurewasactiveandfunctionalbecauseMawlawiNasrullahMansoortrustedstudentsofreligiousmadrassasandconsideredthisyounggenerationtobethefutureleadersofAfghanistan.HereiteratedintrainingsandmeetingsthatthisnewreligiousgenerationcanplayaspecialroleinAfghanistan’sfuturepolitics.Heorganisedthispoliticalstructurecalled‘TanzeemTalba’andincludedeldersfromallprovincesaswellasprominentareasinPakistanwhereAfghanswereinamajorityorhadschoolsandmadrassas.Itofferedweeklyeducationalprogrammestorecruitorattractstudentsfromschoolsandmadrassas.Studentsfrommodernuniversitiesandschoolswerealsoappointedasleadersforafewareas.Theseyoungpeopleledandtaughtpoliticaleducationcourses.TheydeliveredlecturestothousandsofJamiatmembersonimportanthistoricissuesanddetailedincidents.MawlawiMansoorinstructedhisstudentstolearnEnglishandArabic,whichmademanyeldermullahscriticisehim.Jamiatpublishedthreeorfourpublications.
OneofthesepublicationswasveryfamousamongthosepublishedinPeshawar.ItwasaweeklymagazinecalledKausarledbyMuhammadAminFrotan,whowasanimportantHizb-eIslamiofficial.HeleftHizblaterbecauseofcertainissues,andjoinedMawlawiMansoorashisdeputy.HecriticisedHekmatyarinKausarmagazine.Hizbintelligenceattemptedtokillhim,buthesurvivedandreceivedasevereheadinjuryandsohewasnolongeractive.InJamiatTalbamanypeoplecameforwardwhowereabletodoadministrativeworkunderRabbaniandtheTalibangovernment.ItwassaidduringtheTaliban’sregimethatso-and-sopersonunderstandsadministrationashehasspenttimeinMawlawiMansoor’sorganisation.
YoungpeoplefromHarakatMadarisandHizbschoolsparticipatedinMawlawi
YoungpeoplefromHarakatMadarisandHizbschoolsparticipatedinMawlawiNasrullahMansoor’seducationalsessionsonpoliticsandeducation.HewasthereforeveryinfluentialamongTaliban,andmanyyoungTalibanused“Mansoor”asapseudonymintheirnames.
ThefamouspersonalitiesintheTalibanmovementwhowereMullahMansoor’sfollowersinclude:MawlawiMuhammadTahirAnwari(FinancialMinisterandPlanningMinister),MawlawiArifullahArif(GovernorofGhazniorDeputyofFinanceMinistry)QariAhmadullah(PolicechiefofKandahar,Zabul,Nimroz,interiorMinisterandchiefofintelligence),MawlawiRahimullahZurmati(deputyministerfortheMinistryofInformationandCulture)MawlawiAhmadJan(MinisterforElectricity,Minesandindustries)MawlawiIshaqAkhundzada(GovernorofLaghman)EngineerAbdullahGulRayyan(HeadofHumanRightsCommission),UstadFaizAhmadFaiz(SpokespersonforMinistryofForeignAffairs)AbdulGhafoorAfghani(SpokespersonforMinistryofForeignAffairs),AbdulHakimMujahid(TalibanRepresentativeinNewYorkandAfghanAmbassadortoIslamabad)andafewotherhighandlow-rankingofficials.ThefamilyofSayyedMuhammadTayyabAghaandtheirgroupwasalsoassociatedwithMawlawiNasrullahMansoorbutwhentheweaponssupplytoMawlawiMansoor’sgroupstopped,theyalsojoinedtheIttehadIslamiorganisationlikeothergroups.
TheHizb-eIslami,IttehadIslamiandMilliNijatgroupsalsolaterestablishedsimilarpoliticalstructuresforreligiousstudents.
DuringtheearlyninetiesinPeshawar,thereligiousclass(Taliban)wantedtostartamovement,andestablishapermanentinitiativeandreformativeorganisationinAfghanistan.TheyagreedandestablishedapermanentorganisationcalledtheJamiatTalbaAhleSunnat,heldweeklymeetings,andappointedleadersanddeputiesforeachprovince.Overthecourseoftime,theorganisationgainedfollowersandtheyhadsilentfollowersinAfghanistan.All,orthemajorityofthem,wererefugeesinPakistanandtravellingTaliban.Lateron,afewTalibanfromthisgroupappearedinAfghanistan;likeMawlawiAbdulHakeemShar’i,theheadofKhostforJamiatTalbaAhleSunnat.HelaterbecamethepolicechiefofKhostandimplementedgoodsecuritymeasuresascomparedtohiscolleagues.HedissolvedhisorganisationintotheTalibanmovementwhenTalibanreachedKhost.HeremainedgovernorofKhostfor
movementwhenTalibanreachedKhost.HeremainedgovernorofKhostforsometimeduringtheTalibanregime.
ThisnewTalibanorganisationwasjoinedmostlybyTalibanwhowereimpartial,orweredisappointedbyMawlawiNabi’sHarakatorganisation.DuetotheeffortsofIslamicscholars,MawlawiMuhammadNabiMuhammadiandMawlawiMansoor'sHarakateventuallyunited.MuhammadiwasselectedastheleaderandMansoorbecamethedeputy.TheTanzeemTalbaandJamiatTalbaalsomerged.
MILITARYCOMPOSITIONOFTHETALIBANFROMGHAZNITOZABUL
AfewyearsbeforetheTalibanmovementinPaktika,Ghazni,andZabul,religiousstudentsstartedamovementforpeace,justice,andsecurity.Largemeetingswereinitiallyheld,andregionalcommanderswerelaterrequestedforsupport.WhenDrNajibullah’sgovernmentevacuatedafewdistrictsandonlycontrolledtheprovincialcentres,conflicteruptedamongthecommandersinGhazni,Paktika,andZabul.WhentheNajibgovernmentwasclosetocollapsing,afewprovincialcentreswerealsoonthevergeofdefeat.
Therewasaseverewarunderwaybetweendifferentgroups.Thereligiousstudents(Taliban)fromtheseareasinitiatedeffortsforpeaceandsecurityduringthatperiod,andaskedafewcommandersformilitarysupportsotheycouldintervenewhenrequiredtocontrolthesituation.
TherearetwomainreasonswhythemovementdidnotriseuplikeitdidininKandahar.Firstly,therewasnotsuchadegreeofbrutalitythatamovementbeginsimmediately.Secondly,therewerenoisolatedTalibangroupsinthearea,likeMullahKaleem’sgroupinZabul(laterheadedbyMullahMadad)wasalsoaTalibangroup,whichstrengthenedthegrouptilltheend.ThiswasacceptedafterthemartyrdomofMullahMadad.BecauseofthistheregionalcommanderstreatedTalibanwithalighttouchandavoidedconflict.
TheseTalibanshowedthemselvesasoneunitandarrangedpreachingsessions.ThisunitedstructurelaterplayedamajorroleforthemovementincapturingGhazni,ZabulandPaktika.WhentheTalibanroseupinKandahar,thelocalTalibaninGhazniandZabulonKabulhighwayimmediatelybegantheiractivities,andtheircommunicationwithKandahardeveloped.OntheKabul-
activities,andtheircommunicationwithKandahardeveloped.OntheKabul-Kandaharhighway,fromGhaznitillKandahar,theTaliban’spoliticalandmilitarystructurewasthreetofouryearsolderthanthatofKandahar.
MullahIshaqAkhundzada(wholaterbecamethegovernorofKhost,andthenLaghmanduringtheTalibanregime)wasleaderofthegroupandhadtensofTalibanintheQarabaghdistrictofGhazni.MullahAbdulBariwashisdeputy.Oband’sTalibanleaderwasAbdulManan,MullahAbdulWaliwastheTalibanleaderforMuqurdistrict,GelanandJindiTalibanwereheadedbyMullahAbdulGhaffar.TheTalibanleaderforZabulandShahjoidistrictwasMullahAbdulGhani,whileMullahAbdulJabbarandMullahNoorullahNooriwerehisdeputies.DuringtheTalibanregime,MullahNoorullahNooribecamethegovernorofBalkhandtheheadofthenorthernzone,andaftertheUSinvasionhewasimprisonedatGuantánamofor13years.
MullahAbdulWahabwastheheadofTalibaninZabul’scentreofQalat;hisdeputieswereMullahAssadullahandMullahMuhammadNazeer.
WhentheTalibaninitiallyreachedZabul,theTalibancommandersofQalatandShahjoihadestablishedcheckpointsandcentresintheareabecausetheydidnotwanttheKandaharTalibantooverridetheirruleinZabul,astheywantedtoruleitthemselves.TheotherdemandwasthatnoonewouldcollectweaponsinZabul.ThesepointscausedadisagreementamonthbeforetheGhaznibattle.
InDecember1994,QariAhmadullahwasthepolicechiefofQalat,andaresidentofGhazni’sKhogyanidistrictwhoremainedastheinteriorministerandintelligencechiefduringtheTalibanregime.IlivedwithhiminBalochistanfortwoyears,andbecauseofthisconnectionIlivedwithhiminQalattosupporthim.HetoldmethatthelocalTalibandonotwanttojointhemainmovementandareputtingtheirviewsanddemandsforward.OneofZabul’sIslamicscholarsMullahAbdulSalamSalimi,anIslamicscholarfromKandaharwhosenameIdon’trecall,andMullahNooruddinTurabi,whowasthejusticeministerduringtheTalibanregime,andwasthenresponsibleforcontrollingnewlyconqueredarea,visitedtheQalatTalibanleaderMullahAbdulWahabtoconvincehim.Ialsoaccompaniedthem.MullahAbdulWahabwasmakingdifferentexcusesduringthediscussionandalsocriticisingtheTaliban.Hewasnotagreeingwithusinanyway.Aftersometime,AbdulWahabdisappeared.
Hedidn’tjointhemovementuntiltheend,buthisdeputiesjoinedtheTaliban.
ThatDecember,anotherdelegationfromKandaharledbyMullahIhsanullahIhsanvisitedZabul.TheycalledforameetinginQalat’sgrandmosque.Duringthemeeting,MullahMadad’sbrotherAzizKhanandMullahAbdulSalamRocketi(theheadofthemilitarycorpsinNangarharduringtheTalibanregime)werealsopresent.Inaconvincingandeffectivespeech,MullahIhsanullahdetailedthecausesofstartingtheTalibanmovement,itsobjectives,andfuturestrategy.DuringthemeetingAzizKhanandMullahAbdulSalamRocketiannouncedtheirfullsupporttothemovement.MullahRocketisaid:IftheTalibanwerePakistanis,Iwouldhavestoppedthemin‘ShareSaffa’area.(BecauseMullahRocketihadannouncedhisenmitywithPakistanafterkidnappingaPakistaniofficer.)Headded:IknowwhotheTalibanleadersare;whattheywant.
AfterafewdaysMullahNoorullahNooriandMullahJabbar,accompaniedbyarmedguards,visitedQalattomeetTalibanleaders.Theyhadpolitediscussionswhichledtoanagreement.Later,asacommander,MullahNoorullahNooriandhisfriendstookpartinmilitaryaction,andthedisagreementswereresolved.
NEEDFORESTABLISHMENTOFTHETALIBANMOVEMENT
WhenSovietforcesleftAfghanistaninFebruary1989,thecommunistregimeledbyNajibwasheadingtowardsdownfalldaybyday.Najibstartedofferingpeacenegotiations.Afterabriefperiodthegovernmentbeganevacuatingdistrictcentresandgettingastrongholdonprovincialcapitals.Manyprovincialcentresfelltothemujahedeenaftersometime.Therewasanongoingcontestandconflictbetweendifferentmujahedeengroupsovernewlycontrolledareas.Someorganisationshadaverycarefulstance,whileJamiatandHizbwhowereopponentsdatingbacktoPeshawar,wereagainsteachother.Peshawar-basedcoalitiongovernmentsfacedcontinuousoppositionfromHekmatyar.InthetransitionalgovernmentbasedinPeshawar,SibghatullahMujaddidiwastheheadofthegovernment,MawlawiMuhammadNabiwastheDefenceMinister,andMawlawiKhaliswasappointedInteriorMinister.HekmatyarwasMinisterofForeignAffairsbutaftersometimeheannouncedhisdepartureandtermedthegovernmenta‘rentedgovernmentbuilding.’
WhenthePakistanigovernmentandinternationalpartnersunderstoodthatexceptforRabbaniandHekmatyar,otherorganisationswerenotinterestedinconflictforthesakeofgainingrule,theybegantryingtoconvincethetwo.Asaresult,in1992,afterthefalloftheNajibgovernment,Hekmatyarwasselectedasprimeminister,Massoudasdefenceminister,SibghatullahMujaddidiasleadersofthegovernmentfortwomonths;andaftertwomonthsRabbaniwasappointedasleaderofthegovernmentforfourmonths.AstheNajibgovernmentfellbecauseoftheoppositionoftheirfamousbrutalGilamjammilitiasupporters,theywerestillcontrollingKabulcityandAhmadShahMassoudenteredKabulastheirsupporter.
WhileAhmadShahMassoudandtheGilamjammilitiagotcontrolofKabul,othermilitantswerenotallowedinthecity.HizbforcesalsotriedtoenterKabul,andtheyinitiallyreachedtheinteriorministryanduptothedoorofthePresidentHouse,butwerepushedbacktothecity’sbordersafterafiercebattlebythejointforcesofMassoud,Gilamjammilitia,andmilitantsoftheoldcommunistregime.AbrutalwaralsostartedbetweenHizbandJamiatforces.Overtheperiodofthreeyears,Kabulcitywascompletelydestroyedandmorethan50,000innocentKabulisweremartyredintheirconflict.Themartyrsincludedchildren,women,andseniorcitizens.InthebeginningMujaddidienteredKabulcity,andafterafewdayswenttoMazarcityasaleaderofagovernmentdelegation.Thereheannouncedthetitlesof‘GreatGeneral’andaholytitleof‘KhalidbinWalid’–afamouscommanderandcompanionofProphetMuhammad(peacebeuponhim)–forAbdulRashidDostum.ThisannoyedmanyAfghans.
AftertwomonthsMujaddiditriedtoremaininhisposition.Butfromtheveryfirstday,AhmadShahMassoudhadnotacceptedhimasleaderofthegovernment,noranyofhisorders.Heevenusedthedouble-meaning,dramaticterm‘actinggovernment’forthepresidentduringtheofficialbroadcastontelevision,radioandnewspaper.Whenthetwomonthswereover,heeasilyremovedMujaddidiandRabbanibecametheleaderinanofficialceremony.AfterfourmonthsRabbaniheldthepositionanddependedonMassoud’smilitaryforces.Thisdisappointedotherunitedorganisationsandcommanders,andweakenedthealready-weakcoalition.Sincere-mindedHizbcommandersandeldersdistancedthemselvesfromtheprevailingconditions.Only
andeldersdistancedthemselvesfromtheprevailingconditions.Onlycommanderswhowereblindfollowerswerelefttofight.Eveniftheywereinvolvedinanynegativeactivity,theywerewelcomedandprovidedallkindsofsupport.KabulcitywastransformedintoabrutalbattlegroundforMassoud,Dostum,Hekmatyar,Sayyaf,andthemilitiaofHizb-eWahdat.Afterthecommunists’warcrimesitisperhapsdifficulttofindsimilarexamplesofbrutalityinAfghanistan’shistory.
ThemilitiasofSayyafinareasunderthecontroloftheHizb-eWahdatmilitiadisgracedHazarawomen,killedpeople,andlootedtheirhouses.UndertheleadershipofMazari,Wahdat-eHazaramilitiastookrevengeonSayyafbycapturingPashtunsandcuttingtheirthroatswhilealive,thenpouringhotoilonthem.TherewasamovementinthedeadbodyandWahdatiHazaracelebratedthisandcalleditthe‘danceofthedead.’Thiswastheirinventionanditisperhapsdifficulttofindanexampleofsuchbrutalityintheworld.
TheSayyafgroupwasledbySayyaf,hisnephewMumtaz,commanderSherAlamandafewotherinfamousmilitants.WahdatwasledbyAbdulAliMazariandothereldersandcommandersofWahdatwhosupportedtheseactivities.Mostofthemareinofficialpositionsinthecurrentgovernment.
DuringRabbani’srulethecountry’scapitalwasdividedlikethisamongthebrutalcommanders.Whatwasthesituationinfar-offareas?
Thereisalongstoryofbrutality,aggressionagainstpeople’slife,honourandbelongingsinKabulcity,forwhichevenabookofthousandsofpageswouldnotsuffice.Writersintheregionandinternationalhumanrightsorganisationshavepublishedconsiderableevidenceaboutthis.Regretfully,noonepunishedthesecriminals.Insteadthoseclaimingtoupholdhumanrightshaverewardedthesecriminalsfortheircolonialobjectivesbyprovidingthempositionsanddollars.
SincetheincidentsofSeptember11,2001,whentheUnitedStatesinvadedAfghanistan,thesamemilitantsandviolatorsofhumanrightsarerulingthepeoplebecauseofthesupportofUSinvaders.TheIndependentHumanRightsCommissioncannotpublishareportthatrecordstheseincidentsofhumanrightsviolationsinthecivilwarduringthelasttwodecadesbecauseofthesecriminals.
violationsinthecivilwarduringthelasttwodecadesbecauseofthesecriminals.
AFEWEXAMPLESFROMKABUL
EarlyoninKabulcity,theGilamjammilitialedbyAbdulRashidDostumlooted,forciblytookwomenandunderagechildrentotheircontainersandgatheringsinvolvingmusicandalcohol,anddisgracedthem.Iftheyrefusedthem,theywerekilled.ThesestorieshavebeennotedbymanyKabulis.LeadersoftheShura-eNazargroupwerealsoinvolvedinsimilaractivities.Killingpeoplewasamatterofroutineforthem–anyonewhorefusedtheirdemandswaskilled.Hizb-eWahdat’speoplewereinvolvedinanarmedconflictwithSayyaf’smilitantsoverlandissues.Hizb-eWahdatmilitantscapturedPashtunsandnailedtheirheadsalive.Pashtunwomenweredisgracedandtheirbreastscutoffwhiletheywerealive.Thesearerepeatedincidents.Therearemanypeopleandwitnesseswhosawtheseincidents,andtheyarestillaround.TheimprisonedHizb-eWahdatmembershaveconfessedtoactivitieslikethis.
AtacheckpointnearPul-eCharkhi,apregnantwomanwaskidnappedbymilitants,andherhusbandwastoldthatwehaveseenwomenineveryconditionexceptwhilegivingbirth.Wewanttoobservethisaswell.
MostofSayyaf’smilitantswereaddictedtodrugs.TheyrapedHazarawomen,killedtheirchildrenandoldmen.Theylootedtheirwealthanddisgracedthem.Theleadersturnedtosupporteverytypeofbrutalandcruelcommanderwhowereabletokillpeopleforthem.Commanderslikethiswereprovidedeverykindofprivilege.
AcheckpointbetweenKabulandNangarharnearSarobiwasunderthecontrolofHekmatyar’scommanderZardadFaryadi.Oneofhismilitantswasdressedlikeadogandhisteethweresharp.Thedogwassenttopeoplewhorefusedtogivemoneyatthecheckpointtoreceivetherequiredmoney.
ThereisastoryfamousamongKabulisthataShura-eNazarcommanderforciblytookawaysomeone’swife.ThehusbandmanagedtotakehiswrittencomplainttoRabbani,whowroteonthebackofthecomplaint:“RespectedCommander,pleasegivehimbackhiswife.”
BARBARISMINKANDAHAR
Kandaharcitywasdividedamongtensofcommanders.Controlwasmostly
Kandaharcitywasdividedamongtensofcommanders.ControlwasmostlywieldedbytheMullahNaqibgroup,buthewasn’tstronginhisownright.HispowerwascourtesyCommanderKhanMuhammad,whowasfamouslyknownasKhano.Heledbrutalmen,andMullahNaqibhimselffearedhim.
GulAghaSherzaiwasthegovernor.HereceivedfinancialsupportfromRabbaniinKandahar’sname.Hehadnopower,andsoheonlyfocusedonbecomingrich.Hehadafewmilitarypersonnel,andmostofthemweredrugaddicts,useless,andbadpeople.ThecorpswasunderthecontrolofKhano,whohadmilitarypower.Healsohadweaponsandarmouredtanks.RabbanipaidheedtohimsincethisgroupwasaffiliatedwiththeJamaateIslamiinKandahar.TheairportwasunderthecontrolofHajiAhmadTar,thesonoftheseniorcommanderHajiMaghash.ThemilitaryareaofQashlaJadidandthesurroundingwesternareaswereunderthecontrolofthebrutalAmirLalimilitants.Sayyaf’scommanderUstadAbdulAlimcontrolledtheSaropzayareaofwesternKandahar.Hewasadriverbeforethejihad,andsohewasfamouslyknownas‘Ustad’.Hismenwerealsocruel,justlikethoseofothercommanders.Somewerelessbad;othersweretheworst.TheoldKandaharcitywascontrolledbytheHizb-eIslamicommanderAttaMuhammadSarKatib.
ThejihadagainstSovietsinKandaharwasinitiatedbyveryreligiouspeople.Manyotherpeoplewhocamelaterwerealsopiousbecausepeoplewhoparticipatedhadthespiritofjihad,andwererighteousandIslamists.Astimepassed,afewwell-knownandactivejihadislikeLalaMalangweremartyred,andthemajorityfadedaway.Overtime,thedesireinthemujahedeentogarnerwealthandpowerincreased.Thisproblemwasprevalentintheentirecountry.Illegalstepsweretakenforthis,andcontractkillersandthievesweregivenahomeinthesegroups.Thesethievesandcontractualkillersbecamesostrongthattheircommanderscouldn’tcontrolthem.InKandaharthereweremanyJamiatmemberswhowereformerKhalqisandremainedincommunistmilitias.Afewcommanderswelcomedthembecauseoftribalism,ortocrushtheiropponents.Lateron,thesamepeoplebecamepowerful,andestablishedcheckpointsthroughthesamepeople.Thesepeoplethennevercaredforanyone’shonourandlife,becausethey’dbeencarryingoutthiscrueltyandbrutalitysincethedaysofthecommunistregime.Forexample‘Mansoor’and‘Baro’,whohadacheckpointontheKandahar-Boldakhighway,kidnapped
‘Baro’,whohadacheckpointontheKandahar-Boldakhighway,kidnappedyounggirlsandboysfromvehiclesfortheirsexualdesire.TheTalibanattackedthischeckpointafewdaysbeforecapturingKandaharandkilledthetwocommandersandhangedthemontheirtanks.Mostoftheirmilitantswerekilledinwar,andonlyAbdulRaziq(theKandaharpolicechief)wasleftalivebecausehewasunderage.ThisincidentscaredoffmilitantsinKandaharanditbecameeasyforTalibantocapturetheprovince.
TherewasawarongoingbetweendifferentgroupsinKandahar,duringwhichthehousesofpeopleweresetablaze.Peopleguardedtheirhonourandhousesbypatrollingatnight.Mostoftheactualmujahedeenwereattheirhomes,andonlythosecommanderswereinthebattlefieldwhohadgatheredoldcommunistsbecausetheywerefromthesametribe,andwerefightingeachothertocaptureterritory.AfeweyewitnessesfromKandahartoldmestories,likehowtherewasatankononesideofacheckpoint,andforamonthshellswerefiredonopponents.Attheendofthemonth,becauseofthehugefiringthetankoperatorlosthismindandwastakentoPakistanfortreatment.
ThepeopleofKandaharhaveasurprisinghistoryofjihadagainstcommunism.ThemujahedeenofKandaharweretechnicallyverystrongfighters.TheyenteredKandaharcityatnightandfoughtwiththegovernmentforcesuntilthemorning.Whentheyleftthecityinthemorning,thegovernmentwouldhavefacedseverelosses.ItwasnotpossibleforthemujahedeentoenterKandaharcitywithoutthesupportofitspeople.ThecommunistswerenotabletoopenlyleavetheirsecuritycheckpointsinthecitycentrebecausehalfofKandahar’spopulationwasfightingagainstthem.
ThepeopleofKandaharonceraisedthetakbeerchantagainstthegovernmentfromtheirroofs.Thecallsgrewtoanextentthatconfoundedthegovernment.Peoplewerefiredupon,butthegovernmentcouldnotquietthem.Later,thegovernmentapologisedandstartedjirgas.Unfortunately,afewcourageousandrighteousmujahedeenweremartyred,andafewpreferredtostayhomeafterthefalloftheNajibgovernment.
PEOPLE’SMEMORIES
IheardthisstoryfromMawlawiAbdulAliDeobandi,arighteousfigurewhowasaseniormuftiandIslamicscholarduringtheTalibanregime.Hesaid:A
wasaseniormuftiandIslamicscholarduringtheTalibanregime.Hesaid:AcommandertookawifeofaKandaharitohisroomtodisgraceher.ThehusbandwasaPashtun,buthewaspowerlesstoprotecthiswife.HestartedshoutingandcryingoutaloudthatforGod’ssake,sheismyhonour.Thecommandersentafewmilitants,whoputhimfacedownandtwistedhispenissopowerfullyuntilitseparatedfromhisbody.Thepersondiedonthespot.
AnofficialofKandaharRadiotoldmeaneyewitnessaccountofachildintheShahreNawareaofKandahar.Apersonatacheckpointbeckonedhimtocometohim.Thechildwasawarethattheman’sintentionwastocommitsexualabusesoheranaway.ThemilitantshotdownthechildwithaKalashnikovandmartyredhim.
Ayoungmuhajirmullahwastakinghisdeadfather’sbodytoShahjoiforthefuneralrites.OntheKandahar-ZabulroutenearShahr-eSafadistrict,therewasacheckpostoftheHizb-eIslamicommanderGarano.TheyoungmullahsaidthathisjihadifamilywasassociatedwithHizb-eIslami.IwantedtogetsomerelieffromthesemilitantsandintroducedmyselfasaHizbi.Theyangrilylaughedandsaidweonlyknowmoney.Duetomyfather’ssuddendeathIonlyhadenoughmoneyfortravel.Therestwastakenbythecheckpointmilitants.Theytookmetothedistrictofficealongwithmyfather’sbodyandasked,‘Isthisyourfather’sdeadbody?’Isaid‘Yes’.Theytoldmethatifyoucannotgivemoney,youwillhavetodancenearyourfather’sbody.Istartedmakingexcusesandappealedtothem,thatmyfatherisdead,IamamullahandIdon’tknowhowtodance.TheyloadedtheirKalashnikovandafterthatIunderstoodthattheywillnotsparemeunlessIdance.IstarteddancinganddanceduntilIwasclosetocollapsing.ThenItookmyfather’sdeadbody,andbecauseoftheshameIhavenevertoldthisstoryathome.ButIamthankfultoGodthattherewasnowomanwithmeatthattime.
TherearemanyfamousstoriesofthebrutalityofKandaharimilitants,butIconsiderthesestoriesenoughasanoverview.TheseconditionsimpactedthoserighteousmujahedeenwhosacrificedthemselvestofreeKandaharfromcommunists.Duringfightsthesemujahedeenstayedhomeandtheirpositionswerecapturedbyformercommunists,sedition-mindedpeopleandmujahedeengoneastray,whotogetherbesiegedthecourageouspeopleofKandahar.MullahMuhammadOmarcameforwardtoleadarevolutionagainstthem.Thenation
MuhammadOmarcameforwardtoleadarevolutionagainstthem.Thenationjustwantedacall,thereforethepublicsupportforanempty-handedMullahOmarwasverydramatic.
WHOWASMULLAHMUHAMMADOMARMUJAHID?
MullahMuhammadOmarwasbornin1960intheChahHimatvillageofKandahar’sKhakrezdistrict.Hebelongedtoareligiousfamily.Hisfather’snamewasMawlawiGhulamNabi.MullahOmar’sgrandfatherwasMawlawiMuhammadRasool,andhisgreat-grandfatherwasMawlawiBazMuhammad.MullahOmar’sfatherMawlawiGhulamNabiwasalsoborninKhakrez,andreceivedhisreligiouseducationfromdifferentschoolsinthedistrict.Lateron,becauseofhisinvolvementinreligiousteachingandproselytisinginthesamearea,hebecameknownasafamoussocialandreligiouspersonality.
MullahOmarbelongstotheTomzibranchofHotakiPashtuns,whichisafamousandhistoricPashtuntribe.AftertheGhoris,itisthesecondhistorictribethatishonouredtoleadPashtuns.IslamistleadersincontemporaryAfghanhistoryincludeHotakssuchasHajiMirwaisKhan(MirwaisNikka).
MullahMuhammadOmar’sfamilymemberswereprofessionalIslamicscholarsandteachersofreligiousstudieswhichmadethemwell-reputedfiguresintheirarea.
WhenMullahOmarwastwoyearsold,hisfamilymigratedtotheNodevillageofDanddistrictinKandahar,wheretheywereengagedinprovidingreligiouseducation.MullahOmar’sfatherpassedawayinthesameareain1965,andwasburiedinanoldgraveyardthatwasassociatedwiththenameofTaliban.
Afterhisfather’sdeath,whenMullahOmarwasfiveyearsoldheandhisfamilymigratedtoDehrawooddistrictinUruzgan.ThisiswherehespenthisinitialyearsunderthetutelageofhisunclesMawlawiMuhammadAnwarandMawlawiMuhammadJuma.
Whenhewaseightyearsold,MullahOmarjoinedthereligiousmadrassaofhisuncleMawlawiMuhammadJumaintheShahra-eKuhnaareaofDehrawood.Hecompletedhisprimaryandsecondaryreligiouseducationwithdistinction.Hebeganhigherreligiousstudiesattheageof18,butwasunabletofinishhiseducationlikemanyotherMuslimstudentsbecauseofthecommunistcoupin
educationlikemanyotherMuslimstudentsbecauseofthecommunistcoupin1979.
PARTICIPATIONINTHEJIHADAGAINSTTHEUSSR
MullahOmarbeganjihadagainstSovietinvadersfromDehrawood,Uruzgan.Hebecamewellknownasacourageousfighterontheprovinciallevel,andwasselectedascommanderofdifferentjihadicoalitionsforjointmilitaryoperations.InUruzganheparticipatedindifferentbattlesasacommanderoracommonmujahid,buthewasrenownedasagoodfighterintheentireprovince.Afewofhisfriendssaythatevenatayoungagehehadafewuniquecharacteristicsandleadershipskillswhichiswhyhewasselectedasacommander.Hewastheownerofastrongbodyduringtheinitialdaysofjihad.
In1983hewenttoMaiwanddistrictinKandaharwithhisjihadifriendsandtookpartinjihadagainsttheUSSRundertheleadershipofFaizullahAkhundzada,thefamousjihadicommanderofHarakatInquilabIslami.AfewTalibaninKandaharwerethenveryfamousbecauseoftheircourageandtacticalskills,butMullahNekMuhammad,MullahMuhammadOmarMujahidandMullahMuhammadAkhundwereverywellknown.AccordingtopeopleinKandahar,MullahNekMuhammadaloneengagedaconvoyofRussianarmouredtanksforhoursanddestroyeddozensoftankswithanRPGrocket.Itissaidthathecarriedthreetypesofweaponstofightarmouredtanksandmilitarypersonnel.MullahOmarandMullahNekMuhammadparticipatedtogetherinmanybattles.MullahOmarwasinjuredfourtimesduringthewaragainsttheUSSR,andhelosttheuseofhisrighteye.
AFEWJIHADIMEMORIESOFMULLAHMUHAMMADOMAR
PeopleclosetoMullahOmarhaverecordedthesememories:
1)Therewasastronggovernmentcheckpointcalled‘Badawanoposta’.Thecommunistshadplacedatankatahighlysensitivepositionnearthecheckpost.Themujahedeenwerefacingissuesbecauseofattacksfromthispoint.Manymujahedeentriedtoeliminatethattankbutnoonesucceeded.IntheendthelocalmujahedeeninvitedMullahOmarfromMaiwand,andhesuccessfullydestroyedthistankwithanRPG.HiscolleagueMullahObaidullahAkhundburnedmanyRussianarmouredtanksandvehiclesinMahalaJat(Kandahar)duringthejihadagainstSoviets.Thenextdaywhenpeoplesawthoseburned
duringthejihadagainstSoviets.Thenextdaywhenpeoplesawthoseburnedarmouredtanksandvehicles,theythoughttheconvoywasstillhaltedthere.MullahObaidullahAkhundservedasdefenceministerduringTalibanruleandaftertheUSinvasionhewasappointedasMullahOmar’sdeputy.HewasmartyredinaPakistaniprisonin2010.
2)RussianarmouredtankswerepassingthroughSangisarinZharidistrictontheKandahar-Herathighway.MullahOmarandMullahAbdulGhaniBaradarwerethere.TheyonlyhadfourRPGrocketstoattacktheRussianconvoy,anddestroyedfourarmouredtanks.DuringTalibanruleMullahBaradarwasappointedtothegeneralstafffortheDefenceMinistry,andlaterasHeratgovernor.AftertheUSinvasionheservedasadeputytoMullahOmar.HeiscurrentlyimprisonedinPakistan.
3)MullahOmardestroyedsevenRussiantankswithRPGrocketsintheTaimooriyanareaofDanddistrictwhenRussiantanksweremovingforwardtoattackmujahedeeninriflepits.Accordingtowitnesses,MullahOmarandMullahObaidullahrescuedthemujahedeenanddefeatedthewell-equippedRussianforces.MullahObaidullahwasinjuredinthisbattle.
From1983to1991,MullahOmarwasengagedinjihadagainsttheSovietsfromtheimportantmujahedeenbasesintheMaiwand,Zhari,PanjwaiandDanddistrictsofKandahar.HesuccessfullycarriedoutoperationsagainsttheSovietsonthemainKabul-KandaharhighwaynearShahr-eSafadistrictofZabulandQalatcity.MullahOmartookpartinallofthesemilitaryoperationsagainstSoviets.HisfavouriteweaponwastheRPG–themosteffectiveweaponagainstarmouredtanks.HewasanexpertatusingRPGs.
InthelastyearsofthejihadmanyTalibangroupslostcontrolandsplitup.MullahOmarandhisfamousfriendsleftFaizullahAkhundzada’sgroup.Afterabriefperiod,hewasforcedbyhisfriendstomakeastrongmujahedeengroup.HeestablishedasmallbaseintheAdayareaofSangisarontheKandahar-Heratroad.Hecoveredexpensesthroughfundsprovidedbyhismujahidfriendsandafewdonors,untilthisjihadigroupwasregisteredwithHarakatInquilabIslami.ButthetruthisthatduringthejihadMullahOmarnevermetwithMawlawiMuhammadNabiMuhammad,nordidhegotoPakistanforweapons.DuringhislifehewasonlyoncetakentoQuettafortreatmentofhisinjuredeye,andhe
lifehewasonlyoncetakentoQuettafortreatmentofhisinjuredeye,andhereturnedtoKandaharafterwards.ThiswashisfirstandlastvisittoPakistan.ButafewmembersofhisfamilyclaimthathevisitedPakistanfourtimesduringtheAfghan-USSRwar.Oncewasforhistreatment,asecondtimetoregisterhisgroup,andtwoothervisitstoseeinjuredfriends.Allahknowsbest.
ENDOFTHEJIHADAGAINSTTHEUSSR
AfterthefalloftheNajibgovernmentin1992andthestartofthecivilwar,MullahOmarandotherrealmujahidsputdowntheirweaponsandestablishedareligiousmadrassanearHajiIbrahimMosqueinGheshanovillage,Sangisararea,Danddistrict.MullahOmarresumedhisincompletereligiouseducationatthismadrassaalongwithafewofhisjihadifriends.HestudiedtheHadithbook‘Mishkatul-Masabih’,thetranslationandinterpretationoftheQur’an,butwasunabletoreadmoreHadithbooks.HealsohadlessonsofrecitationandpronunciationoftheQur’anforhisfriends.HewasanexpertatQur’anicrecitationandpronunciation.MullahOmarwasthenateacheraswellasastudent,andthefounderanddirectorofasmallmadrassa.
MullahGulAgha(amemberoftheRahbariShuraandtheEconomicAffairsheadoftheTaliban),ajihadiandmadrassafriendofMullahOmarsays:Therewere32TalibanlivingwithMullahMuhammadOmarinthisSangisarmadrassa.ThenamesoftheseTalibanareasfollows:
MullahAbdulGhaniBaradarMullahYaranaMullahSaifullahMullahSaaduddin(residentofBaghran,Helmand)MullahAbdulZahirMullahAkhtarMuhammadMullahBariMullahAbdulKareemQariAbdulSalamMullahGhulamMahyuddinMullahAbdulAliMullahAbdulBariToorMullahAbdulQayyum
ToorMullahAbdulQayyumMullahAbdulGhafoorMawlawiAbdulRahmanAbdulManan(MullahOmar’sstepbrother)MullahAbdulSalamMullahGhaziMullahSardarMuhammadMullahZareefMullahDaruKhan(ofMaiwand)GulMullahJumaKhanMullahJananMullahSaadullah.
MawlawiAbdulHabib,MawlawiAbdulRahim,MawlawiAbdulRahmanandMalanganoMawlawiSahib(famouswiththesamename)weretheteachersatthissmallmadrassa.
Whenthebrutalityofmilitantsescalated,peoplewerelookingforareligiousscholar’sverdictagainstthiscruelty,andabouttheirsilenceoverthisbrutality.
Thistyrannywasinthecitiesaswellasinremoteareas.OnthemainhighwaysofHelmand-KandaharandKandahar-Boldak,passengersweretreatedverybadly.ThebrutalityontheHelmand-KandaharhighwaycreatedmanyissuesforpeoplelivingnearMullahOmar’sresidence.FromMaiwanduptoKandaharcity,DawarKhan,Salih,andNadarJanwereverybrutalcommanders.Theytreatedtravellersverybadlyandposedasignificantthreattotheirhonourandproperty.MansoorandBarowereknownascruelcommandersintheInzargi,Ghazni,TangiandTakht-ePulareasontheBoldak-Kandaharroad.MansoorwasaformercommanderofthefamousmilitialeaderEsmatMuslim,andwassupportedbymanyformercommunistsandpeopleoftheAchekzaitribebecauseoftriballinks.
InJune1994,underaninitiativetakenbyMullahOmar,ameetingwasheldinamosqueoftheformermujahidHajiGhausuddinfeaturingregionalIslamicscholars,themanagersofmadrassas,teachers,andimams.TheattendeesincludedMawlawiSaeedMuhammad,whoremainedajudgeofregionalmujahedeenandwaswellknownasMawlawiPasanai,andMawlawiAbdul
Hakeem(whowasfamouslyknownasSheikhAbdulHakeem),amemberoftheTalibanShuraandin-chargeofjustice.Theparticipantsdecidedtostartareformationmovementagainstindecency.MawlawiSaeedMuhammadwasrequestedtoleadthismovement.Herefused,andthemeetingendedwithoutanyresult.ThenextdayMullahOmaralongwithhisfriendMullahAbdulSamadvisiteddifferentmadrassastogetthesupportofmadrassaTaliban.
MullahGulAghasaysthatthefirstmeetingwasheldintheHajiGhausuddinmosque.MawlawiSayyedMuhammad,morewellknownasMawlawiPasanai,wasnotapartofthismeeting.Theattendees,includingmullahs,tribalelders,andthedirectorsoflocalmadrassas,wereaskingforstepstostopthesebrutalactivities,buttheysuggestedtoMullahOmartogetanedictfromtheregionaljudgeandMuftiSayyedMuhammadPasanai.
AccordingtoMullahGulAgha:ItwasdecidedatthemeetingthatMullahMuhammadOmarshouldconsultwithMawlawiSayyedMuhammadandgetadecisionofjihadagainstthisoppressionandtyranny.ThecourtwasintheZangiabadarea.HajiBashirgaveusavehicleandadriver.MullahOmar,hisfriendSufiMawlawiAbdulSamadandIwenttothecourtsandwaitedthereuntiltheafternoon.IntheafternoonweshareddetailsofthemeetingwithMawlawiPasanai.HesaidhewouldinviteafewmoreIslamicscholarsforconsultation,andaskedustocontacthimagaintomorrow.WewenttotheregionalcommanderMullahGulAkhundandspentthenightwithhim.Thenextdaywewenttothecourts.MawlawiSayyedMuhammadhadinvitedthreemoreIslamicscholarsforconsultation–MawlawiAttaMuhammadAkhundzada,MawlawiShahMuhammadandMawlawiAbdulKhaliq.Basedontheirmutualconsensus,theytoldMullahOmarthatjihadisobligatoryinthecurrentconditions,andthereisanextremeneedagainstmilitantsandoppressors.Buttheysaidthatwecannotgiveawrittenverdictasthemilitantsandoppressorswilldisgraceusandwecannotdefendourselves,andyoualsodonothaveamilitaryforce.
MullahOmarsaid:Wewillbeginourjihadandifwesucceed,youshouldsupportusandgiveusadecision.Ifwefailoraremartyred,noonewillbotheryou.
AlongwithSufiMawlawiAbdulSamad,IjoinedMullahOmarwhowantedto
AlongwithSufiMawlawiAbdulSamad,IjoinedMullahOmarwhowantedtovisitthemadrassasandconvincetheTalibanforjihad.WethenwenttoPanjwaiandmetwithMullahMuhammadAkhund(wholaterbecameaTalibanmilitarycommander),Mu’allimPaida(regionalcommander)andHajiTorakAgha(theKhostGovernorduringtheTalibanregimewholaterheadedtheRedCrescent)whopromisedtheirfullsupport.ThedriverofHajiBashir(BashirNoorzai)saidhewastiredandcouldnotdrivetotheGhoshakGaarjavillage.MullahOmaraskedtogotomyguestroomandpassourregardstoMullahBaradarAkhund,andtotellhimthatwehavestartedourwork.FromthattimeonitappearedthatMullahOmarwastheleaderandMullahAbdulGhaniBaradarwashisdeputy.
MullahOmarandSufiMawlawiAbdulSamadwenttoSarwarMama’sroom,whogavethemamotorcycle.TheyvisiteddifferentmadrassasincludingMashan(avillagenearMullahOmar’svillage),themadrassaofHajiAkhtarMuhammadAkainTalokanvillage,HajiQadirAka’smadrassawhereSheikhMawlawiAbdulHakeemofferedshortIslamiccourses,andthemadrassaofHajiHafizMajeed(theKandaharpolicechiefduringtheTalibanregime)inZangiabadvillagewhereotherTalibanalsolived.
DuringeverylectureMullahOmardeliveredawrittenspeechandexplainedtheneedandobligationofjihad.HerequestedtheTalibantoprepareforjihadandinsistedonbeginningitimmediately.Hesaid:Nooneshouldhavetheexcuseofreligiousstudies,andnooneshouldcareaboutinjuriesormartyrdom.Similarly,noonewillaskforresourcesandyouwillallhavetosupportmebasedontrust.
VeryfewTalibanagreedtojoinMullahOmarbecauseofthesestrictterms.Around54Talibanfromdifferentmadrassaswereready,andMullahOmarhadspokenwiththemtocometoourlessonsthenextday.Butaftermutualconsensustheycametoourlessonsat1am.MullahOmarsawthematmorningprayers.Healsoledtheprayers,andafterwardsaskedmehowtotransporttheseTaliban.ItoldhimthatweshouldseekHajiBashir’shelp.WesentMullahSaifullahAkhundtoHajiBashironSarwarMama’smotorcycle.Heprovidedonewhite4x4vehicleandoneheavyHinovehicle.TheteachersSanaullahandMuhammadNabiwerealsothere.HajiBashirnevertookthosevehiclesback.
TheTalibanwerethengoingontoKeshkinakhud,thecapitalofMaiwanddistrict.Theyonlyhadfiveweapons–threeKalashnikovsandtwoheavymachineguns.Welefttheweaponsforthemadrassa’sprotectionandwentontoMaiwandwithswordsandsticks.Weconstructedaroominthemadrassa,andsecuritycheckpointswereestablishedwithchainsoneachsideofthemarket.DuringthesecuritysearchtheTalibancutthehairofbrutalmilitants(topakian,orthe‘menwiththeguns’).
OntheseconddayHajiBashirprovidedus20weaponsandthreemillionAfghani.HajiBurgetAka,aregionaltriballeader,alsoprovidedfifteenweaponsincludingalong-rangemachinegun.
Onthethirdday,undertheleadershipofMullahOmar,eightyarmedTalibangatheredincludingMullahBaradarAkhundandotherolderfriends.Ihadarocketlauncherandthreerockets.WemovedfromMaiwandandreachedthePashmolWazirareamosqueat1am.MawlawiKhushDilprobablywokeupforlatenightprayers,andsaidthatsinceweweretiredhewouldperformguarddutiesuntilthemorning.
Inthemorning,MullahOmarsentagroupofTalibantoonesideofthehighwayundertheleadershipofMullahBaradarAkhund,whileagroupofMullahRahmatullahAkhund(martyr),thecommandersMullahAbdulWahidAkhund,SaniMullahMasharandAkhundwereontheotherside.Therewasanexchangeofgunfirebutnocasualties.
IntheeveningMullahBaradarhadtakenpositiononthehighway.Themilitants(topakian)cameinacarthattheyhadforciblytakenfrompeopleandwerecapturedbytheTaliban.Duringasecuritycheckafewalcoholicdrinksandbulletswereseizedfromthecar.Themilitantslaterescaped.
AtnightthefriendsofSarKatib(thegeneralcommanderofKandahar)came,andthebattlebeganagaininthemorning.ThemilitantsatthecheckpostshoutedthattheywereSarKatib’smen.Afteranexchangeofgunfire,sixcheckpointsoftheillegalcheckpointcommanderSalihwerecleared.MullahDadullahAkhund,theTalibancommander,wasinjuredthatdayandhewasthefirstmaninjuredintheTalibanmovement.
ThefamoustribalelderDaruKhanofKlak(Kolak)andSolghaareahadthreeillegalcheckpoints.Heaskedforsafepassagewhichweprovided.Heleftthecheckpointswithoutputtingupanyresistance.AtthattimetheTalibanweredividedintodifferentotaqs,theyhadfourtofiveotaqs.Thesupportandpleasureofpeoplewaspalpable.ThenumberofTalibanincreasedeveryday.ThenumbersandmoraleoftheTalibanfurtherincreasedafterthelateHajideputyMullahMuhammadRabbaniAkhundandMullahMuhammadIsaAkhundjoined.
INITIALNEGOTIATIONSWITHMILITANTS(TOPAKIAN)ACCORDINGTOMULLAHGULAGHA
Mostofthecommandersandthepeoplewhohadsetupillegalcheckpointsfromthecity,excludingMullahNaqibandKhanMuhammad,camefornegotiations.ForexampleSarKatibofBaghPul,UstadAbdulHakeemfromZarraPula,NadirJanofNagehan,AmirLalaiofthecity,HabibullahJanofSanzari,andmanyothersmallcommandersmetwithMullahOmar,MullahBaradarAkhund,andMullahMuhammadAkhund.TheydemandedthattheTalibanshouldn’tbotherthemandthattheywouldfullysupporttheTaliban.OneofMullahOmar’sdemandswastotakedownthechainsofillegalcheckpoints.TheirresponsewasthatifyouraimistoimplementShariainthecity,wewillestablishstrongcourtsandprovidearmedpersonnelandotherresources.MullahOmarsaidthatwedonotwantcharity,youshouldabandontheillegalcheckpoints.WewillmakeroomsfortheTalibantheretocontrolsecurity,andprotectthepublicandtheirproperty.Wedonottrustyouanymore.
ItwaseventuallyagreedonthattheywilltakedownthecheckpointchainsandtheTalibanwillbuildroomsthere.
AtthattimethemainotaqwasinDand,andlaterMullahOmartalkedtoMullahMansoorwhohadasecuritycheckpointintheTarnakaarea(theborderareabetweenKandaharcityandBoldak)thathewouldtakedownthechainsanddiscusstheirstatementswithMullahOmar,whichshouldbenoted.Firstly,allKandaharcommanderswilltakedownthechainsonsecuritycheckpointsbutthepeopleofBoldakwilldefinitelyfight.Secondly,donotgetinvolvedwithpeopleonhairandsimpleissues–ifyousucceed,noonewillstandinyourway.Thiscametopass,andthearmedmilitiasofBoldakbattledagainsttheTaliban.Mansoorandothercriminalswerehangedandnooneaskedorcaredaboutthem.
Mansoorandothercriminalswerehangedandnooneaskedorcaredaboutthem.
THEBEGINNINGOFTHETALIBANMOVEMENTASPERMULLAHOMAR
AgrandmeetingofeminentIslamicscholarsbeganinKandaharonApril4,1996.Attheendofthismeeting,MullahOmarwasgiventhetitleof‘Amirul-Mu’mineen’.Iwaspresentthroughouteverystageofthemeetinginmycapacityasahost.MullahOmaraddressedthegatheringonthelastday,speakinginasimpledialectandtone.AfteracoupleofdayshemadethesameaddresswithsomeminorchangestoadelegationofIslamicscholarsfromBoldak.Thisisthesummaryofhisstatements:
TheconditionsofKandaharcityandsurroundingareashasreachedapointthatthehonour,life,andpropertyofMuslimswasnotsafe.OnedaywhenIwascyclingtothemadrassa,Isawapersonstandingontheroad.BythetimeIreachedthere,hewasdead.Thisandotherbrutalitiesaffectedmymindnegatively.AfterreachingthemadrassaIconsidereditobligatorytostopthesecrimes.MyfriendandIleftthemadrassaandwenttoZangiabad.IaskedforamotorcycletherefromamancalledSarwar,aresidentofTalokanvillage.Itoldmyfriendthatwewillnowvisitmadrassastoinvitethemtojoinourcause.
IntheeveningwewenttoamadrassaandinvitedfourteenTalibanfromthere,sayingthatMuslimsarebeingdestroyed,andafewcruelsinnershavecapturedtheseareas.Noone’slife,honourorwealthissafe.Oneveryroutepeoplearedishonouredbytheseimmoralpeople.Weshouldn’tstayquietinsuchconditions,andifyouareacquiringthisknowledgeforthegratificationofAllah,thenyoushouldleavethisforHisgratification.Studyingandteachingisnotpossibleunderthesetyrannicalconditions.Wecannotstopthiscrueltyjustbyraisingslogans.Itoldthemthatnoonehaspromisedussupport;wewillaskAfghanMuslimsforfood,andwedon’tevenknowiftheywillhelp.Thereisapossibilitythatwewillneverfindanopportunitytocontinueoureducation,andwearealsonotsureaboutourchancesofsuccess.
ToencouragethemIalsosaid:Theseimmoralsinnersaresittingonhotstonesinthishotweather,andareshowingtheirdisobedienceandenmityagainstAllah.Whycanwenotopenlysupportreligion?Don’tbenegligentanddiscouraged.Whenwecaptureanyplacewewillsitthere,andtherewillbenocomplaintsthatwemissedourlessonsorthatwedonothavemoney,weapons,andfood.
thatwemissedourlessonsorthatwedonothavemoney,weapons,andfood.AfterthatIaskedthemwhethertheysupportedmeornot.
Noneofthemsaidwhethertheywereready.TheytoldmethatwecansupportyouifyoucandoanythingonFridaynight.ItoldthemwhowilldosomethingafterFriday.
AsAllahiswitness,thestoryisthesame.Ifwehadlookedforphysicalgoodsandtools,wewouldhavereturnedtoourmadrassasdiscouraged.ButIhavepromisedandtrustedAllah,anditwasbecauseofthistrustthatwereachedthisposition.
Afterthatwewenttoanothermadrassaandtoldthemthatthiswasn’taneasytask.Theywerefiveorsevenwhoprovidedtheirnames.BoththemadrassaTalibanwerefromthesameumma,country,andtheresidentsofthesamearea.Itwasn’tliketheywerefromadifferentplace,orsomewerescholarswhileothersignorant.Theywereallyoungmen.Itwasastrangewisdom,andIwasfacingabigtestsetbyAllah.
ThiswasthestartoftheTalibanmovement.Wevisiteddifferentmadrassasbymotorcycle,andbytheeveningfifty-sixpeoplegaveustheirnames.Itoldthemtogatherearlyinthemorningatmyplace.Atnight,wecamebacktomyplaceandby1amallofthemwerepresent.
Thenextmorningwearrangedfortwodrivers,andat10amwesentafewpeopletoHajiBashir.Weaskedhimfortwovehiclesandweapons,whichheprovided.WewenttoKeshkinakhud(thedistrictcentreofMaiwand)andarrangedforafewmorepeople.Whenournumbersincreased,wetooktheweaponsandbeganourworkfromalocationfivemilesawayfromourarea.
AttheendMullahOmarsaidthatwehavemadeabigclaim,andwewillfacemanydifficultiesforthis.ThisworkjustneedsrelyingonGod.Itiseasytoclaim,butpracticallyitisaverydifficulttest.Headded,“OIslamicscholars!IneedyoursupportandguidanceasIamstillastudent.IfyoudonotguidemecorrectlytoimplementAllah’slaw,youwillberesponsibleinthehereafter.”
HAJIBASHIR’SSUPPORTTOMULLAHOMAR
Inthespringof1996,whenMullahOmarwasestablishingamovementagainst
Inthespringof1996,whenMullahOmarwasestablishingamovementagainstbarbarismintheregionandillegalcheckpoints,HajiBashir’smilitantswereengagedinaconflictwithSayyafcommanderUstadAbdulAleem’smilitants.HajiBashirwastheareacommanderofHizb(MawlawiKhalisgroup)andcontrolledMaiwanddistrictcentre.AbdulAleem’smenwantedtoestablishanillegalcheckpointnearMaiwand,whichposedanewchallengeforlocals.Bashir’smilitantsopposedthis.TherewasanarmedbattlenearLocalkhailohadeera(graveyard)inMaiwandandonemilitantfromAleem’sgroupwaskilled.MilitantsfromAleem’sgrouplaterattackedabaseofBashirundertheleadershipofMullahAbdulSattar,and17peoplefromtheHajiBashirNoorzaigroupwerekilled.
ThiswasahugelossforHajiBashir.Hehadnotbeeninvolvedinlocalconflictsuntilthen.Afterthisincident,hewaslookingtosolvetheseissuesinadignifiedmanner.HajiBashirwaslongacquaintedwithMullahOmar,astheywereresidentsofMaiwandandBashirknewofhisjihadiachievements.WhenhecametoknowaboutOmar’sintensions,heimmediatelysupportedhimbyprovidinghimwithhisforceandarea.ThisishowTalibangotcontrolofMaiwanddistrictandestablishedabasethere.TheyalsoestablishedanotherbaseinHawz-eMadadBazaartowardsKandaharcity.
MullahOmarandhisfriendsbeganastruggletoeliminateillegalcheckpointsandestablishpeaceintheareasbetweenKandaharandHelmand.AsmallbasewasalsoestablishedinDanddistrictnearKandaharcity.Foratleasttwomonthstheyrequestedthemilitantsatillegalcheckpointstoabandonthiswork.IntheendtheyforciblyeliminatedanillegalcheckpointrunbyamilitantcommanderinthePashmolareabetweenKandaharandMaiwand.ThiswasthebeginningofTalibanmilitaryaction.
FromtheTaliban’snewbaseinHawz-eMadaduntilKandahartherewereapproximatelytencheckpointsruninthenameofcommanders:DaruKhan(Colak),Bismillah(Pashmol),PeerMuhammad(Pashmol),SalihMuhammad(PassaWazirKalaSara),QayyumKhan(Ashugha),HabibullahJan(Sunkhari),NadirJan(ShahAghaDowrahi),AttaMuhammadSarKatib(BaghPul),UstadAbdulAleem(Sarpoza),MullahNaqibullah(HinduKotai).
THEFIRSTILLEGALCHECKPOINTANDTHEFIRSTBATTLE
WhenMullahOmarandhisfriendsbegantheirorganisedstruggleagainstillegalcheckpointmilitants,themilitantsatcheckpointswererepeatedlyrequestedtostop,buttheirresponsewasveryharshanddisgusting.ThefirstmilitantcheckpointwastheDaruKhancheckpointnearPashmolonthehighway.Peoplewerefedupwiththeinjusticeandcrueltyofmilitants.OnSeptember29,1996,TalibanattackedDaruKhancheckpointintheKolakarea.Theattackwassuccessful,andthemilitantsescapedandleftthearea.Talibanridpeopleofthesecheckpointmilitantsandtheircommanders,andasaresulttheywerewelcomedbylocalcommunitieseverywherewhichrenewedtheirspirits.Publicsupportbegantakingholdandnewpeoplefromeverywherejoinedthem.
ThiswasthefirststepofTaliban’smilitaryadvancement,andtheyappearedintheareabetweenDandandPanjwaidistricts,areaswhereMullahOmarhadpreviouslywieldedinfluence.AfewignorantorselfishcommentatorslinktheappearanceofTalibantoBoldakdistrictneartheborderwithPakistan,whichisahistoricmistake.TalibanuprisingsstartedfromtheareabetweenMaiwand,Dand,PanjwaiandZharidistrictsandfirstappearedinMaiwand,theareaofAfghanconquerorMuhammadAyubKhan.
MULLAHOMAR’SSELECTIONASAMIR
TheeliminationoftheDaruKhancheckpointscaredoffothermilitants.Afewvoluntarilyabandonedthearea,whileafewcruelmenincludingSalihandNadirJanremained.AfewfamousformerjihadisandnewTalibanfromtheBoldak,Arghestan,ArghandabandMarufdistrictsjoinedtheTalibanmovement.MawlawiAbdulSamadandMullahOmarwereworkingtogetherupuntilthistime.MullahOmarwasthemilitaryleader,whileMawlawiAbdulSamadwasthechief.MawlawiAbdulSamadwasscaredoftheTaliban’sexpansionashewasverycool-minded.
MostTalibanconsideredMullahOmarastheiractualleader.InfluentialfriendsandregionalIslamicscholarswantedeitherofthemasapermanentAmir.EightdaysafterthefirstmilitaryoperationameetingfortheselectionofAmirwascalledintheWhiteMosqueofHawz-eMadadarea.Mostparticipants,includingMullahNooruddinTurabi,agreedonMullahOmarasAmir,andhewaschosenbyconsensusagreement.TheTalibanthenpreparedtocaptureBoldakdistrict.
Chapter2:TheTalibanmovementwarandconquestfrom
KandahartoKabul-Kandahar
VICTORYATSPINBOLDAK
SpinBoldakwasnotundertheTaliban’sinfluence,oraplacefromwhichtheTalibanmovementbegan.TheTalibanroseupfromareasbetweenKandaharandHelmandthatwereundertheinfluenceandareasofjihadofTalibanleaderMullahMuhammadOmar.Afterthecaptureofthecheckpoint–whichisconsideredtheirfirstmilitaryshowing–IslamicscholarsandTalibanfromArghestan,MarufandBoldakdistrictsofKandaharvisitedMullahOmar.Thesedistrictsboastedoffamousmujahideen,TalibanandIslamicscholarsincludingMullahMuhammadRabbani(knownasHajiMuawin(‘deputy’),whobecameMullahOmar’sassistantandchiefminister)fromArghestan.Thesedistrictswereonthevergeofcollapseandrequiredaunitedvoice.AfterconsultationwiththeTalibanofthesedistricts,MullahOmarplannedtocaptureSpinBoldakandattackedthedistrictonOctober10,1994.
AftertendaysofmilitaryoperationsbetweenKandaharandHelmand,theTalibanwereorganisedwithseveralcoveredvehicles.OneofthevehicleswascommandedbyMullahMuhammadAkhund(wholaterbecameamilitarycommanderinthesouthintheTalibanregime),aTalibancommanderandresidentofZuwandoHaderayvillage.TheothervehiclewasunderthecommandofMullahMuhammad,acloseallyofMullahOmar.ThetrucksstoppedinthedistrictcentreofSpinBoldakandtheTalibanuprisingbegan.BoldakdistrictcentrewasunderthecontrolofHizbcommanderAkhtarJanwhowasunpreparedforbattle.Hisarmedmenfledtheareaowingtothesuddenattack.TheTalibanfiredshotsintheairtoscarethem.MostofthedistrictcameunderTalibancontrol.AkhtarJanandhismencamepreparedthenextdayandattackedthedistrictcentre,buttheTalibandidn’tfireinretaliationasperMullahOmar’sinstructions.TheTalibanwantedopponentstoleavetheareawithoutbattleandsodidnotrespondtotheirfiring.
Onthethirddaywhentheyattackedagain,theTalibanrespondedandMullahDadullahfiredaRPGrocket.ForthefirsttimeamanontheTaliban’ssidewaskilled–SaleemAgha,aresidentofZangiabad,Kandahar.AfterashortwhiletheremainingpartsofthedistrictalsofelltotheTaliban.RegionalmediaspreadthenewsofSpinBoldak’scaptureandtheTalibangarneredattentionofcountriesintheregionandaroundtheworld.TheTalibanwereundoubtedlywarmlywelcomedbybusinessmen,thepeople,anddriversonhighways.ThisnewsspreadonbothsidesofthePak-Afghanborder,andPakistan-basedIslamicmadrassastudentscametosupportthemovementandnewTalibanjoinedtheconquestofKandahar.
ThecaptureofSpinBoldakwasagoodinitiativeforthemovement,becauseononehandTalibanandfamouscommandersfromtheadjoiningtwodistrictsjoinedthemovement,andontheotherhandsodidAfghanTalibanfromPakistanimadrassas.TherewasahugemarketbetweenBoldakandChamanwheremajorbusinessmenhaddealings.ThepresenceofTalibanbecameasourceofreliefforthemandtheyfinanciallyhelpedTalibanandmanagedexpensesforfood,fuelandvehicles,whichstrengthenedthemovement.AftercapturingBoldaktheTalibanalsocapturedafewarmsandammunitiondepotsofmilitantgroupsandacquiredahugequantityofweapons.
ThefinancialsupportandpromotionofthemovementbyPakistan-basedAfghansandreligious-mindedPakistaniPashtunsdoublyboostedTalibanforces.EveryonewhotravelledtoIranorPakistanthroughthisroute,whetheraloneorwiththeirfamily,facedproblemsthattheywantedtoseeeradicated.ThisalsohadaneffectonPakistanisaspeaceandsecurityintheneighbourhoodmeansabetterfuturefortheregion.
CONQUESTOFKANDAHAR
EvenbeforethecaptureofSpinBoldak,theTalibanmovedfreelyinKandaharcitybecausetherewasnopowerfulsecurityagency.Withtheexceptionofafewplaces,everykindofmilitantwasfreetomovearoundinthecityandnooneattackedeachother.AftercapturingtheDaruKhancheckpoint,allcheckpointsbetweenMaiwanddistrictandKandaharwereevacuatedasmilitantsfled.Afewlefttheareaaftermountingminorresistance.OnlytheBaghPulareacheckpost
ofHizb-eIslamicommanderAttaMuhammad(SarKatib)remained,aswellasabaseofUstadAbdulAleem’smilitants.
TheTalibaninitiallytriedtosolvetheseissueswithmutualunderstanding.ButdistrustsetinwhenAttaMuhammadplannedtokillMullahOmar.AfterthecaptureofNadirKhancheckpostonShahAgharoad,theTalibanestablishedacentreintheHindukotaiarea.MullahOmarusuallyvisitedthiscentrefromMaiwand,andtheSarKatibcheckpointwaslocatedonthesameroute.TheplotwasexposedbyOmarKhatari,thesonofthetriballeaderHajiAbdulAleem,whowasfromMullahOmar’svillage.MullahOmardelayedhistravelandtheplanfailed.AfterafewdaysSarKatibarrestedthefamousTalibancommanderMullahBurjanonthisroute.TalibanarrestedanotherHizb-eIslamicommanderAbdulAhad,andMullahBurjanwasreleasedinexchange.
TheroleofIslamicscholarsandTalibanisveryprominentinthecaptureofKandahar.PashtunslivingbytheKuzhakmountainsandintheborderareasofKandahararefromsimilartribes.Therearemanymadrassasintheseareas,andduringthejihadagainstUSSRtheseareaswerefamousasacrossingrouteandrestareaformujahideen.Peoplefromthesefar-offareasmigratedfromSpinBoldak,MarufandArghestandistrictsbecauseoftriballinkstoborderareasinPakistanlikeChaman,Gulistan,Pasheen,Zangal,QilaAbdullah,andToba.
TherearemanymadrassasandIslamicscholarstherethatwieldregionalandtribalinfluence.DuringthejihadagainstUSSRtheyhadreligiousandspiritualmotivations.ThelateMaulanaAbdulGhanifromChamanisworthmentioninghere;hisspeechesagainstcommunistsscaredthemtotheextentthathismosquewasshelledfromacrosstheDurandline.
TheimportantTalibanandIslamicscholarsfromBoldakincludedMullahAbdulSamad,MullahAbdulRaziq(Talibaninteriorminister),MullahSirajuddin,MullahDostMuhammad,MullahKhaliqdad,MullahAbdulMananHanafiandMullahWaliJan.
OnNovember3,TalibanenteredKandaharcityaftercapturingcheckpointsbetweenthecityandBoldak.TakhtPulandInzargimilitantsescaped,andtheselossesaffectedthemoraleofcommandersinKandahar.TheyweretryingtoformacoalitionagainsttheTaliban,butbecauseoftheirconflictsoverthelast
formacoalitionagainsttheTaliban,butbecauseoftheirconflictsoverthelastfewyearstheyhadverylittletimetoforgeaquickalliance.TheairportandmanyareasofKandaharcityfelltotheTalibanwithoutanyresistance.
Whennegotiationsfailed,SarKatibwasdefeatedinbattleandescaped.Afterhisdefeat,theprominentcommanderofKandaharMullahNaqibullahAkhundsurrenderedhisweaponsandequipmenttotheTaliban.OnecansaythattheactualsupportinconqueringKandaharcitywasbyMullahNaqibullah.HecompletelyhandedovercontrolofthecorpstotheTaliban,comprisingfortytanksandotherheavyandlightweapons.
ThekeyTalibancommanderswhoplayedaroleinAkhund’ssurrenderwereMullahMuhammad(whoremainedthegeneralmilitaryheadandwasmartyredduringthebattlewithIsmailKhanandescapingmilitantsbetweenKandaharandHerat)andMullahMuhammadRabbani,thedeputyofMullahOmarandheadofthecaretakercouncil.Ayearpriortohissurrender,MullahNaqibtoldpeopleinKharqaMosquethatthecommandersthatareattributedtomearenotundermycontrol,whichindicatesthathewaslookingforawaytogetoutofthesituation.Heplayedaroleinthehandoverofthecorps,andforcedthefamouscommanderKhanMohammad‘Khano’toescapealongwithhiscommanders.KhanMuhammadlaterbecamethepolicechiefofKandaharduringtheKarzaigovernment,andwaskilledinaTalibanattack.
OnNovember15,KandaharcityandthesurroundingareascameunderTalibancontrol.MullahOmarwasappointedtheheadforallmilitaryandgovernmentofficesintheprovince.AfterthecaptureofKandahar,Talibanbecameatopicintheregionalandinternationalmedia.EveryonedefinedTalibanaccordingtotheirinformation.MilitantswhofledtoldBBCPashto,awell-knownmediasourceatthattime,thatPakistansupportedTalibaninthecaptureofKandahar.Thiswaseithertheirstatement,orgivenatthebehestofothers,butithelpedtheTaliban’srivals.ThiscausedtheTalibantobeaccusedoftakingPakistan’ssupport.
However,peoplewerenotinfluencedbythispropaganda.TheTalibanwerewelcomedeverywhere,whichhelpedthemmoveintootherareasthroughoutAfghanistan.Inthesphereofmilitancy,HekmatyarwastheonlyonetoannouncewaragainsttheTaliban.Hizb-eIslamicommandersinKandaharhad
announcewaragainsttheTaliban.Hizb-eIslamicommandersinKandaharhadlittleintentionoffightingtheTalibanbutthePeshawar-basedHekmatyar’scommunicationcommand–recordedbytheTaliban–forcedSarKatibtofight.HewasdefeatedandescapedtoPakistan.AtthattimePakistanwassupportingHekmatyar,andPakistaniintelligenceofficialswerevisitingthebattlelinesnearCharasyab,Kabul.HewasprovidedweaponsandequipmentandsowasunabletoaccusetheTalibanofhavingPakistanisupport.ButhelaterallegedthattheTalibanwassupportedbyformercommunists,theUnitedStates,andtheUnitedKingdom.InQuetta,Hizb-eIslamimembersdistributedtextsstatingthatMullahBurjanwasactuallyacommunistgeneralwhohadtakenonanewidentity.ButthiswasnotacceptedbythepeopleofKandaharwhoknewMullahBurjansincethebeginningofjihadinAfghanistan.
Hekmatyar’spropagandacontinueduntiltheRabbanigovernmentwelcomedtheTaliban,andSayyafcalledtheTaliban‘angelsofsalvation.’
InGhazni,theTalibandefeatedthecoalitionforcesofHizb-eIslamiandHizb-eWahdatandcapturedMaidanWardak.Hekmatyar’sforceswithdrewfromCharasyabontheoutskirtsofKabul.TalibanfacedoffagainstRabbaniandMassoud’sforces.HekmatyarandhisfriendshadconsideredTalibanasoldcommunistforcessupportedbyRussiansbecausetheywerewelcomedbytheRabbanigovernment.Lateron,theyaccusedTalibanofbeingtheforceofBritain,America,andZahirShah.In1994,afterRabbaniandHekmatyarforgedacoalitionwiththeeffortsofPakistan’sJamaat-eIslamileaderQaziHussainAhmed,theTalibancapturedKabul.PresidentRabbaniandPrimeMinisterHekmatyarescapedtothenorthofKabul.HekmatyartoldBBCPashtothatBritainenteredKabulthroughJalalabadandnowtheirslaveshaveentered.
POST-KANDAHARDEVELOPMENTS
AfterthedefeatofSarKatibinKandahar,MawlawiMuhammadNabi’scontinuouseffortsandnegotiationswithHarakatcommanderGhaffarAkhundzadafailed.TheTalibanstartedawaragainstAkhundzada.SinceTalibanandIslamicscholarsfromHelmandsupportedthemovement,GhaffarAkhunzadatriedtocombattheTalibanwithtribalmilitias.TheJamiatcommanderRaeesAbdulWahidsupportedtheTalibanagainstAkhundzada.Afterhewasdefeated,Helmand,includingthecentreofLashkarGah,camecompletelyunderTalibancontrol.Theminorcommanderswhoremainedand
completelyunderTalibancontrol.TheminorcommanderswhoremainedandwereopposedtotheTalibanescapedtoFarah,oravoidedengaginginarmedconflict.CommanderswhohadfledHelmandandKandaharjoinedtheforcesofcommanderIsmailKhaninFarah,andgatheredontheNimruzandHeratborders.TheyplannedtoretakeHelmandandKandaharwithIsmailKhan’ssupportwhichledtoaclashbetweenTalibanandKhan.
IsmailKhanequippedandsupportedthecommanders.AftertheTalibancapturedFarahandNimruz,mostofthesecommandersescapedtoIran.
AftertheconquestofHelmand,TalibanreachedthecentreofZabul.SincetherewasapresenceandinfluenceofformerTalibangroups,noonefacedoffagainsttheTaliban.TheonlyonewithsuchintentionswastheHizbcommanderHamidullah.Buthisgroupwasverysmallandweakinthelastdaysofjihad,andhewasconsideredtobeHekmatyar’sonlycommanderinZabul.AfterobservingtheTaliban’sforceheescapedtoGhazniandjoinedHizbmilitantsintheMaidanarea.
UruzganwasanareawhereMullahOmarwieldedinfluence.AfewcommanderslikeMullahShadiqAkhundjoinedTaliban,andotherslikeGovernorJanMuhammadKhanwerequiet.ButtheylaterstartedtoopposetheTaliban.TheTalibanweregenerallygivenawarmwelcomeinUruzganandupuntiltheendTalibanheldswayovertheprovince.
DuringthewinterTalibanreachedtheoutskirtsofGhazni.ThemajorpartoftheJanda,MuqurandQarabaghdistrictswerealreadyunderthecontroloflocalTalibanpriortothearrivalofthemainTalibanforce.
GHAZNIBATTLE
Inmid-November1994theTalibangainedcontrolofKandaharandshiftedtheirfocustoHelmandandZabul.TheTalibanstructureintheseprovinceswasthreeyearsolderthanthatinKandahar,andtheystartedactingtocleartheregionafterbeinginspiredbytheeventsinKandahar.Mostoftheorganisation’scommandershadagoodrelationshipwithTalibanandtreatedthemwithpoliteness.
TalibanappointedleadersformostofGhazni’sdistricts,andsoonafter
conqueringKandahartheyarrangedameetingattheagriculturedepartmentinGhazni,sincethedepartmentheadwasaTalibansupporter.Talibanleadersfromdifferentdistrictsattendedthemeeting,includingWaghezleaderMullahShahabuddinSaqib,MawlawiAbdulWakeelfromShalgar,KhogianidistrictleaderQariHazratMuhammad,MullahMuhammadIshaqAkhundzadafromQarabagh,MullahAbdulMannanfromOband,Muqardistrict’sMullahMuhammadShafiqandGeelanandJindiTalibanleaderMullahAbdulGhaffar.TheydefinedtheirstructureasacommissionwithrepresentationoftheseTalibanleaders.TheyhadalsoinvitedMullahSayyedAhmadShaheedasarepresentativeforGhaznicityandcentre.
Thecommissiondecidedthatthemembers,friends,andTalibanwouldmeetinGailandistrictofGhazniprovincefortheiractivities.ThedistrictisnearZabulhighwayandtheTalibanwerealsoactiveinthenearbyShahjoidistrictofZabul.Theywantedharmonyintheseadjoiningareas.
ThecommissionmembersgatheredinGailananddecidedtocollectweapons,andthenattackthehillpointcheckpostofJindiBazaaronthehighway.Howeverthecheckpointwasevacuatedbeforetheattack.
ThecommissionsentadelegationtoNawadistrict,whichwasthenunderthecontrolofHarakatcommanderMullahFaziul-Haq(NawayAmir),whowelcomedandsupportedtheTaliban.
ThecommissionthenshiftedfocustoMuqur,andheldahugeeventinMuqurbazaar’smainmosque.Allthecommandersofthedistrictwereinvitedtothegathering.Yawar(MahazMilli),HabibullahJanandMullahNizamuddinfromHarakatInquilabIslami,SherKhan(Jamiat-eIslami)andHajiFazal(Mahaz-eMilli)attendedandtheypromisedtosupportTaliban.ThekeyfigureamongthemwasthecommanderHabibullahwhocontrolledthedistrictcentreandmainmarket.
WiththeencouragementofageneralmilitarycommanderKhyalMuhammadofQariBaba,HabibullahJanwelcomedtheTaliban.InitiallytheTalibanhousedtheirarmedmeninMullahNazimuddinCentreandthenwentaroundthedistrict.WhenHabibullahJanhandedoverthedistricttotheTaliban,afewcommanderswerestillmakingexcusesabouthandingovertheweapons.SmallTaliban
werestillmakingexcusesabouthandingovertheweapons.SmallTalibangroupsattackedtheircentresandtheyevacuatedwithoutputtingupanyresistance.MullahMuhammadGulJawzjaniandMullahFirozplayedamajorroleinthesesmallgroups.MullahMuhammadGulNiaziwasaPashtunfromthenorthernareaofJawzjan,buthisfamilymigratedtoGhazni’sJawzjanareaduringZahirShah’sregime.HewasabraveandexperiencedfighterwhofoughtthecommunistregimewhileworkingunderJalaluddinHaqqani’sgroups.
AfterthecaptureofMuqur’scentrebyGhazniTaliban,QariBaba(TajMuhammad),apowerfulcommanderinGhazni,invitedTalibanfornegotiations.AtthattimehecontrolledthecentreofGhazniprovinceandShalgardistrict,aswellaswieldedinfluenceinJawarahdistrict.
AdelegationofGhazniTalibanledbyMullahShahabuddinSaqibmetQariBabaatthecheckpostofTalibansupporterPeerMuhammadinNanaynearGhaznicity.QariBabatoldstoriesofhisjihadandhisloveandfriendshipwithTaliban.HedeclaredhimselfaTalibfromanIslamicscholarfamily.TalibanofferedhimtosupportthemthewayMullahNaqibullahhadsupportedtheminKandahar.TheycametoanagreementthatifHekmatyarsupportersattackQariBaba,theTalibanwillsupporthimandifHizb-eIslamisupportersattackTaliban,QariBabawillstopthem.
Atthattimetherewasaconflictbetweencommandersoftheprovincialcouncil.MullahGulMuhammad,thecommanderKhyalMuhammad,andthefamousShi’acommanderoftheMohsiniMovementDrShahjahansupportedtheTalibanwhileothersopposedthemovement.TalibansupportersexposedtheplansmadeagainsttheTalibanincouncilmeetings.
AcouncilcalledUlemaCouncilwasalsoestablishedatthattime.ItwasheadedbyMullahAbdulHakeemfromQarabagh,thefatheroftheQarabaghTalibanleaderMullahIshaq,acrediblescholarwhohadgraduatedfromNoorul-Madaris.
ThiscouncilsentadelegationaboutthenewlyestablishedmovementandheldameetingwithTalibaninJanda,neartheTaliban’smaincentreinGilan.Thedelegationcomprisedthenow-deceasedEngineerAbdullahGulRayanandMullahHazratGul.AftertheirreturntheysentMullahHazratGultoPeshawar
tosharetheissuewithHarakatleaderMullahMuhammadNabi.
InGhazni,thereweretwokindsofgroups–onewerethefollowerswhowerewithMullahMuhammadNabifromthebeginning,andthesecondmajoritygroupwasofMullahMansoor;peoplewhojoinedhimafterthesplitfromHarakat.AfterthesupplyofweaponstoMullahMansoor’sgroupstopped,manyofthemjoinedotherorganisations,likeQariAbdullahofJinnahabad,AmirofWaghazMullahFakhruddin,MullahGulMuhammad,MullahAbdulBaseerfromthecentre.
ButallofthemfollowedtheHarakatAmirMullahMuhammadNabiinreligiousandsensitiveaffairs.MullahMuhammadNabisentletterstoallofhisimportantcommanders,includingQariBaba,throughMullahHazratGulandothercolleaguestosupporttheTalibanwithoutanypreconditions.
AfteralengthymeetingwiththeTalibandelegation,thenewlyestablishedUlemaaCouncilofGhaznisentadelegationtoKandahartomeetMullahOmar.ThedelegationwasheadedbyMullahAbdulHakeem,whowasaccompaniedbyTalibanleadersfromthecommissionandTalibandistrictleadersfromGhazni.
ItwasnowtheendofNovember.FreshmilitaryforcesweresentfromKandahartotheZabulprovincialcentre.MullahMuhammadOmarwasbusyinnegotiationswithsupportivecommandersinUruzganandhadpreparedplansforcompletelycleaningUruzgan.TheconflictwithGhaffarAkhundzadainHelmandwasstillunsolved.ThisdelegationvisitedKandaharandwashostedbyHigherCouncilmemberIhsanullahIhsan,andstayedinKandaharforafewdaystomeetMullahOmar.
WhenMullahOmarreturnedfromUruzgan,thedelegationmethimanditwasagreedthattheywouldworktogether.MullahAbdulHakeemtoldMullahOmarthattostopthepropagandaandestablishnewgroups,‘givemeyourhandsinbayat.’Accordingtomyinformationthiswasthefirstbayatinthemovement,andpriortothistheTalibanhadneverlookedtothistradition.Thedelegationsworetheirallegiance.BeforetheydepartedMullahIhsanullahIhsanrecommendedtothemthatMullahOmarhadsad:becauseofarrivalofnewTalibanfromKandaharyoushouldn’tproceedbeyondMuqurdistrict,becauseinGhazniwearefacingdifferentoppositiongroupslikeHizb-eWahdat,
GhazniwearefacingdifferentoppositiongroupslikeHizb-eWahdat,HekmatyarandQariBabawhoisstillcoordinatingwithGhaffarAkhundzadaandwearestillinaconflictwithAkhundzada.
ThedelegationfromMuqurwasstillinKandaharwhenafewTalibanincludingSayyedAhmadShaheedKhelandMuhammadGulJawzjaniattackedafamouscheckpointwithabadreputation.AfterovercomingasmallresistancethecheckpointwasevacuatedandtheJamiat-eIslamicommanderNajiullahescaped.DuringthisbattleMuhammadGulJawzjaniandanotherTalibwereinjuredandtheywerebroughttoKandaharatnight.Intheearlyhoursofthenextmorning,MullahIhsanullahIhsanwokeupanimportantTalibanleaderMullahShahabuddinfromGhazniandsenthimtoGhazniwithinstructionstostopmovingforwarduntilfreshforcesreachedfromKandahar.
AftertheQarabaghbattleadelegationoftheRabbanigovernmentfromKabulheadedbyMullahSakhiDadFaizvisitedGhazniTalibanfornegotiations.InQarabagh’sNaeemQalavillagetheymetwiththeGhazniTalibancommissionmemberMullahShahabuddinSaqibwhoexplainedtheobjectivestothem.MullahSakhiDadFaizdeliveredtheRabbanigovernment’smessageofsupportfortheTaliban.
AtthattimeAbdulGhaffar–asub-groupofQariBabainShalgar’sKonsafvilalge–attackedthecentreofHekmatyarsupporters.Itwasabattleofashortdurationwithnolosses.Accordingtoseveralpeople,itwasjustatacticalclashasQariBabawasactuallytryingtoforgeacoalitionagainsttheTalibanbutmostofhiscommanderswerewillingtosupporttheTaliban.ShortlyafterthisbattleQariBabasentalettertotheTalibanCommission,askingaboutthepromiseofsupportingthemagainstHizb.
AttheendofDecemberMawlawiIhsancametoZabulfromKandaharandheldameetinginZabul’scentralmosque.Iwaspresentatthemeeting.ManyimportantcommandersannouncedtheiraffiliationwiththeTaliban.NegotiationswereprogressingwiththeTalibanofShahjoiaswell.MawlawiIhsanwenttoNuqurdistrictandinvitedTalibanleadersofGhaznithere.HewasaccompaniedbyMullahNooruddinTurabiandafewotherTalibanleaders.Meetingswereheldwithregionalcommanders.ATalibleaderfromShalgarcalledMullahNoorullaharrangedameetingbetweencommanderKhyal
calledMullahNoorullaharrangedameetingbetweencommanderKhyalMuhammadandMawlawiIhsanintheYargotoareabetweenQarabaghandShalgar.
KhyalMuhammadandMawlawiIhsanassuredeachotheroftheirfullsupport.AfterthiscommanderKhyalMuhammadarrangedameetingbetweenMawlawiIhsanandQariBabaintheareaofNanay.MawlawiIhsanwasaccompaniedbymanyarmedTalibansothatQariBabacouldobservetheirforces.TheGhazniTalibanleaderspresentinthemeetingpointedtowardstheTalibanandsaidtheyareoursupportingforces.Attheendofthediscussions,QariBabatookoutaletterofMawlawiMuhammadNabifromhispocketandtoldMawlawiIhsanthatmyAmirhasinstructedmetosupportyou.
Atthattime,QariBabasignedanundisclosedagreementwithHizb-eIslami.HeallowedHekmatyar’sforcestoenterGhaznicityandfighttheTaliban.QariBabadidnotconsiderhimselfcapableoffacingTalibanandallthegroupsweresupportingTaliban,includingcommanderKhyalMuhammad.ThisshowsthatinGhazni,andparticularlyinShalgardistrict,itwasconsideredimpermissibletofightagainstTalibanandIslamicscholars.Ontheotherhand,thesonsorbrothersofmanyofQariBaba’scommanderswerebeingeducatedatmadrassasandmostofthemjoinedtheTalibanmovement.
TheTalibanthoughtthatduringthewinterinGhaznitheywouldfightagainstillegalcheckpointsanddefendtheprobableattacksofJamiatandHizbwiththesupportofQariBaba.ButbecauseQariBabaallowedHekmatyarsupporterstoenterGhazni,itbecameareasonfortheTalibantostopHekmatyar’smenfromgettingcontrolofGhazni.
ThesewerethelastdaysofJanuary1995.
FromChaman,HekmatyarcapturedamilitarybaseunitbetweenGhaznicityandtheShashGawoareawiththesupportofQalam,ZardadandSarKatib.CommanderKhyalMuhammad,DrShahJahanandothercommanderswhowereTalibansupportersthenadvisedtheTalibantoenterandcapturestrategicareasinGhaznicityfromthemilitiasofHizb-eWahdatandHekmatyar.OnJanuary28,1995,MawlawiIhsanvisitedGhaznicityandundertheleadershipofDrShahjahan,heldameetingwithHazaracommanders,leaders,andscholars.AkbarirepresentedHizb-eWahdatinthemeetingwhileMuhsinirepresentedthe
AkbarirepresentedHizb-eWahdatinthemeetingwhileMuhsinirepresentedtheHazaramovement.Shi’amullahswerealsoinattendance,aswereZahidifromAkbarigroupandHakimifromKhalili’sHizb-eWahdatgroup.AfterreachingamutualunderstandingtheyannouncedsupportfortheTaliban,andattheendtheShi’amullahsprayedforthevictoryofTaliban.
ButKhalili’sHizb-eWahdatwassecretlypreparingforabattlewiththeTalibanalongwithHekmatyar’sforces.TheTalibanorganisedahugegatheringofarmedTalibanintheNanayareatocontrolGhazni,andsupportingTalibangroupsfromKandaharandZabulalsocametoGhazni.
OnthesecondnightTalibanmilitantsenteredmostpartsofGhaznicity.InthemorningcommanderKhyalMuhammadinvitedhisgroupcommandersandofficiallyhandedoverGhazniBrigadetoMawlawiIhsan,whichcomprisedarmouredtanksandotherweapons.
TheTalibanhadnoartilleryortankexperts.ButundertheleadershipofArifullahAriffromPaktia,manymilitantsandrelativesofMawlawiNasrullahMansoorcametoGhazni.Theyhadartilleryandtankexpertswhoworeauniqueuniform,andtheyempoweredTalibanforcesbyoperatingtanksandartillery.TheseexpertshadanunparalleledroleingainingcontrolofGhaznicity.
OnthethirdnightHizb-eIslamimilitantsattackedthefamouscheckpostsofTappaSardarGhundaionthehilltopsintheRodhaareaofthecity,buttheseattackswererepelledbytheTaliban.TheAkbariandMuhsinigroupsofHizb-eWahdatsurrenderedthecheckpoststoHazaraTaliban.
OnthefirstdayofthebattleMawlawiIhsanUllahwasthegeneralcommanderwhileNoorullahNoori(Zabul),HajiInayatullah(Ghazni-TawdaCheenaarea)andMullahKhaliqdad(Kandahar-Boldak)servedasmilitarycommanders,withtheexceptionofsupportingforcesfromPaktia.
TalibanpushedbacktheHazara,andontheothersidetheHekmatyarmilitiawaspushedbacktotheGhondarea.AunitbetweenGhaznicityandDekdistrictwasabandonedbyHekmatyar’ssupportingmilitia.InthemorningMawlawiIhsanullahwenttoDekandheldameetingwiththetriballeaders,Islamicscholars,andnominateddistrictgovernorofthedistrict.Thatsameday,MullahOmardispatchedMullahMuhammadRabbanitoGhazni.Hevisitedallareas
OmardispatchedMullahMuhammadRabbanitoGhazni.Hevisitedallareasandintheafternoonwenttotheunit.AdetaileddiscussionwasheldbetweenMullahRabbani,MawlawiIhsanullahandGhazniTalibanaboutthecurrentsituationandbattle.Afterreachingaconsensus,thecommandofthebattlewastakenoverbyMullahRabbaniandanewTalibancommanderandmilitantsfromKandaharcametoGhazni.ThisincludedMullahMashar(MullahAbdulQayyum)andcommanderRaeesAbdulWahid(Baghranchief.)ThenextmorningHekmatyarandHizb-eWahdatmilitiasbegantheirattacks,andbytheafternoontheTalibanhadtakenGhondfromHekmatyar’sforcesandtheHizb-eWahdatwaspushedbackfromthefrontline.ManyHizb-eIslamiandHizb-eWahdatsupporterswereimprisonedinthisbattle.ThelocalTalibanfromWardak’sJaghtuareablockedtherouteofdefeatedHekmatyarforcesandmanywerearrested.AllofthemwerefreedbyTalibanleadersaftersometime.Fortunatelynoprisonerwaskilledduringthisbattle.
MawlawiArifullahArifwasappointedasgovernorofGhaznibytheTaliban.AftertheadvancementofTalibanahugeconvoyledbythefamouscommanderMullahMashar(MullahAbdulQayyum)attackedtheSeesayregimentinWardak’sSaeedAbadarea.ThisregimentbelongedtoSayyaf’smilitants.Ahugeamountofweaponswasrecoveredfromthere.AfterthatTalibancapturedSaeedAbaddistrictandnooneresistedthemuntilMaidanShahr.OnFebruary2,theprovincialdistrictofWardakMaidanShahralsocameunderTalibancontrol.
AfterthedefeatofHekmatyarmilitiasinGhazni,commanderZardadandafewothercommandersescapedtoLogar’sKharwardistrictthroughtheZanaKhanarea.AfewTalibanfromGhaznifollowedhimfromZanaKhanandenteredKharwar.AtthattimetheTalibanofLogarwerealsoorganised.AnothergroupofTalibanenteredLogarfromWardak’sSheikhAbadTangiarea.ManycommanderswelcomedTalibaninLogar,andtheHizb-eIslamimilitiafled.LocalTalibanfromLogarwerealsoarmed,andbecauseofthisafteronedayofcapturingMaidanShahr,theprovincialcentreofLogarPuliAlamalsofelltotheTaliban.OnthesamedayTalibancapturedaHizb-eIslamicentreinCharasyabdistrictwithoutfacinganyresistance.Nangialay,thelocalcommanderofMahazMilliinWardak,andHarakatcommanderMusainMaidanShahrsupportedtheTaliban.
Taliban.
AtthattimeTalibanwerefacingoffinbattlewithBurhanuddinRabbani’sJamiatandcoalitionforcesinwestandcentralKabul.AhmadShahMassoudwasleadinginKabul,andIsmailKhanwasleadingthewarinthewest.TheexiledcommandersfromHelmandandKandaharwerealsowithhim.InthewesttheTalibanexpandedtoFarahandNimruz.
THETALIBANINLOYPAKTIA
AfewdaysaftertheconquestofGhazni,MawlawiIhsanullahvisitedQariBabatoassuagehim,ashewasfearedbecauseofhishiddensupporttoandagreementwithHizbintheGhaznibattleandsecondly,anenvironmentofmistrustprevailedwithhisothercommanders,especiallyKhyalMuhammad.Hecoveredtheareasaroundhishousewithmines,butremovedthemaftermeetingwithMawlawiIhsan.AfterafewmonthshewenttoKabulandjoinedRabbani,MassoudandSayyafforces.
AftermeetingQariBaba,MawlawiIhsanwenttoShahrana,theprovincialcentreofPaktika,ontheinvitationofPaktikaGovernorMawlawiFareedMahmoodandpolicechiefMuhammadAli.TheywerebothformercommandersofMawlawiNasrullahMansoor.UndertheleadershipofMawlawiIhsan,agroupofTalibanwenttoShahranaandthedistrictcentrewashandedovertothem.MawlawiIhsanwasappointedgovernorandpolicechief.LateronhewenttoGardez,Paktia,whichwasalreadyunderTalibancontrolsinceMawlawiNasrullahhadjoinedTalibanbeforetheGhaznibattle.
OtherinfluentialcommandersavoidedengaginginarmedconflictwiththeTaliban,asthedistrictcentreGardezwasalreadyunderthecontrolofunitedcommandersandMawlawiNasrullahMansoor’sfamily,andallofthemsupportedtheTaliban.AfterthevictoryofKandaharandZabul,thePaktiaGovernorMawlawiAbdulLatifMansoor(aformerTalibanagricultureminister,Kandaharmayor,andcurrentmemberoftheRahbariShura)welcomedTaliban.ThiswasthereasonthatintheGhaznibattle,familymembersandsupportersofMawlawiNasrullahMansoorplayedakeyrolebysupportingTalibanagainstHekmatyarandHizb-eWahdatforces.
FromGardezFort,MawlawiIhsanullaharrangedgroupsforthesurrounding
FromGardezFort,MawlawiIhsanullaharrangedgroupsforthesurroundingareasofPaktiaandPaktika.HeheldmeetingswithtriballeadersandcommandersinGardezcityandalsoinvitedjihadicommandersfromKhost.TheseweretheinitialweeksofFebruary.InthemiddleofFebruary,negotiationsbetweenMawlawiJalaluddinHaqqaniandMawlawiIhsanullahweresuccessfullycompleted.On19January,KhostcitywashandedtotheTalibanbecauseofthesupportofJalaluddinHaqqani.TheTalibangainedcompletecontroloverLoyPaktia.TalibancontroloverKhostcityandtheprovincialcentrestrengthenedtheminthesouth,andsimilarlytoKandahar,theygarneredsupportfromthepublicandIslamicscholars.
THEKABULFRONTANDTHEFIRSTBATTLEWITHMASSOUD
AhmadShahMassoudtalkeddirectlywiththeTalibaninMaidanShahr.MullahMuhammadRabbaniaskedhimtoleaveKabulandtojointheTalibanforpeaceinAfghanistan.MassoudinitiallyagreedandevenofferedhisguntotheTaliban.ButhewasactuallyobservingtheTaliban’sstrength.Whenhereturned,heinitiallybombardedTalibanandthenattackedthem.
AtthattimeTalibanmilitantswerenearReshkhorbrigade,andbecauseofthesuddenattackbyMassoudtheywerepushedbackfromCharasyab.Thisimpactedtheirspiritsnegatively,andforthefirsttimetheyfacedamajorhindranceaftercontinuousvictories.ButtheyheldtheirwarpositionsinLogarandselectedabattlefieldinMaidanShahrnearPaghman.ThecommandersofSayyafandMassoudwerejointlyparticipatinginthewar.ThiswasthestartofthewarbetweenTalibanandMassoud’scoalitionforces.
Therunofvictorieshadended,andthestrongresistancemountedbyMassoud’sforcesdemoralisedtheTalibantoadegree.Thegovernment’sforcesweregenerallyunderstrongpressureandwerescaredofthecollapseofKabul,asitwaspracticallybesiegedbytheTaliban.
THEESCAPEANDDEATHOFABDULALIMAZARI
InearlyMarch1995,theTalibanreachedKabulforthefirsttime.TheenvironmentinKabulwasrifewithfear.HizbforcesleftCharasyabasHizb-eWahdatforceswerealsopartofthecoalition(HamahangiShura)againstthegovernment.AfterthedefeatofcoalitionforcesinGhazni,thecommandofwaragainstTalibanwasdistributedandDostum’smilitiasleftKabul.Duetothe
againstTalibanwasdistributedandDostum’smilitiasleftKabul.DuetothewithdrawalofHizbforcesfromCharasyab,Hizb-eWahdatforceswerebesiegedbetweenTalibanandMassoud’sforceinthewest.
DuringthebattleinGhazniHizb-eWahdatcommanderssupportedHizb-eIslamiagainsttheTaliban.AftertheTalibanenteredthesurroundingsofKabul,AhmadShahMassoudandtheSayyafmilitiatookadvantageofthesituationandtriedtocaptureterritoryfromHizb-eWahdat.Afiercebattlewasunderwaybetweenthemtocaptureareasfromtheother.Hizb-eWahdatcommandersgavesafepassagetotheTalibantoenterKabulcity.Withoutanyinstructionsfromtheleadershipandawarplan,low-levelTalibancommandersadvancedinthesouthofKabulandfacedasuddenattackbyMassoud’sforces,duetowhichtheylostcontrolovermanyareas,includingCharasyab.
Hizb-eWahdatwantedtoprotectthemselvesandbrokethesiegeduringthewarbetweenTalibanandMassoudforces.OnMarch11,theleaderofHizb-eWahdatAbdulAliMazaritriedtoescapeKabulwithafewcommandersinaParksWagon,aRussianvehicle.AlocalresidentinformedtheTalibanabouthisescape.HewasarrestedbytheTalibanandaccordingtoMullahOmar’sinstructions,hewastobetransferredtoKandaharinanaeroplane.InMullahOmar’sview,ifimportantcommandersfrommilitantgroupsdonotvoluntarilysurrenderandarearrestedduringthewar,theyshouldbeheldasprisonersuntiladecisionistakenorthereisareducedchanceofmutiny.
MazariandhiscommanderswereinitiallysenttoLogar.AhelicopterwassentfromKandahartotransferAbdulAliMazariandafewofhiscommanders.TheirhandsweretiedandaTalibmilitantaccompaniedthemasaguard.Hewasnegligentandfellasleep,andoneoftheprisonerswaslookingfortheareasbelow.AsthehelicoptercrossedGhaznicity,thesmallhillswhichisthebeginningoftheHazaraareasappeared.CommanderAbuZar,theresidentofGhazniwhoknewtheareawell,untiedhishandsandsnatchedthesleepingTalib’sKalashnikov.Heorderedthepilottolandinthosehills.InitiallythepilotdidnotaccepttheorderbutafterAbuZarfired,hishandwasinjuredandhewascompelledtolandthehelicopternearthemainroadinNoghiarea,OdrayHadeera.AgroupofTalibanwastravellingfromKandahartoGhazniwhentheysawahelicoptermakeasuddenlanding.Theythoughtitwasanaccident.AvehicleofTalibanimmediatelywenttowardsthehelicopterandsawthatafew
vehicleofTalibanimmediatelywenttowardsthehelicopterandsawthatafewlargebeardedmenwiththeirhandstiedwererunningfromthehelicoptertowardsthehills.Talibanunderstoodtheywereescapingsotheyfiredatthemandkilledallofthem.
WhenMullahOmarlearnedabouttheincidentheorderedaninvestigationandconsidereditaverybadincident,sinceforthefirsttimeagroupleaderwaskilledinasuddenevent.NoonehadintentionsofkillingAbdulAliMazari.Thisincidenthadanationalimpact,andtheTalibanweresad.HisdeadbodywashandedovertohisfollowerswhoconsideredthiseventasadeliberateactbytheTaliban.ItwassaidthattheykeptMazari’sbodyinthesurroundingsofBalkhforafewdaysandmadedifferent,painfulstoriesabouthisdeathtostiruptheemotionsoftheHazaratribeagainsttheTaliban.
TheTalibanhadnodifferenceswiththeHazara.Everytribe,area,everycriminalorrighteousperson,werethesametotheTaliban.ButwiththisincidentHazarastartedpropagandisingagainsttheTaliban,andIranalsotookseriousnotice.
Theinvestigationshowedthattheincidentwasunintentional,andtheprisonerswereconsideredresponsible.TheTalibanwhoshottheescapingprisonerswereunawareoftheiridentityandthoughtthatthesepeoplehavekilledthepilotandtheTalibaninthehelicopter.
AbdulAliMazariandhiscommanderswereactivelyinvolvedinbloodywarsandcrimesinKabulafterthefallofthecommunistregime.AbdulAliMazariwasanervousandcruelpersonaccusedofdomesticfights,crueltyandtorture.
AFIERCEWARBETWEENTWOGROUPSANDTHEDISARMAMENTPROCESS
Thesummerof1995passedbyinwar.TheTalibanrepeatedlyfacedashortageofmoneyandweapons.AtthattimeTalibanreceivedrevenuefromKandaharcustomsonthePakistanborder,andtherevenuefromotherprovinceswasverylow.PashtunandtribalbusinessmenlivingneartheborderprovidedalotoffinancialsupportbecausetheyconsideredtheTalibantobetheonlyhopeforpeaceintheregion.
TheTalibanwerefocusingoncollectingweapons.Disarmamentofmilitantgroupswasconsideredanimportantobjectivetoestablishpeace.AnotherobjectiveofdisarmamentwasthattheTalibanneededammunition.Thesearch
objectiveofdisarmamentwasthattheTalibanneededammunition.ThesearchofweaponsensuedinunlawfulactswhichMullahOmarwasunawareof.Brutalactionsweretakeninsomecases.Theseweretheinitialwrongfulactsbyafewyoungmenandminorcommanders.OnepersonwasevenkilledinZabulduringtherecoveryofweapons.WhenMullahOmarlearnedaboutthis,heissuedinstructionsfortheTaliban.Irememberafewofthem,asunder:
“FearAllah,inthenameofweapons,donotbeatpeople.Icametoknowthatpeoplearebeatenwithcables.Thisisadevilishact,fearfromAllah’spunishment.Forconfessiondonotbeatpeopleandafterthatifanyonebeatssomeonewithcablehewillbepunishedseverely.”
MullahAbdulQayyum(MullahMashar)wasthegeneralcommanderofthewarfrontlinefromKabultowardsMaidanShahratthetime,whileMullahBurjanwasinchargeoftheCharasyabarea.Hewasseverelyinjured.Lateron,MullahMuhammadwasthegeneralmilitaryin-chargeforthewest.
TherewerefiercebattlesaroundKabulforanentireyear,andattacksfrombothsides.TheTalibanadvancedseveraltimes,butbecauseoftheprevalentuseofanti-personnelminesbyMassoudinthesouthandwestofKabul,accesswasblockedforpeopleandvehicles.Theyfacedmanylossesbecauseofthesemines.
OnMay10,1995,theTalibanwerepushedbackonthewesternwarfrontlinesinFarahandNimruzowingtoasuddenattackbyIsmailKhanandcoalitionforcesthatwassupportedbyanairforce.TheTalibanlefttheregionafterputtingupastrongfight.AfterthefallofFarah,Nimruzwasbesieged.IsmailKhan,thecoalitioncommanders,andtheirmilitantsenteredZarangcitythroughIran.ThepolicechiefofNimruz,commanderQariAhmadullah(whoworkedintheinteriorministryandinintelligenceduringtheTalibanregime)foughtthemallday.AshortageofweaponsledtohimbeingarrestedbyIsmailKhan’sforces.MawlawiAbdulGhaniJawzjaniandafewotherssuccessfullyleftthearea,butMawlawiIzzatullahArif,thechiefoftheprovince’srevenueoffice,wasmartyredafterputtingupalongresistance.
TheTalibanonthewesternfrontnearFarahmovedtowardsHeratattimes,andsometimestheywerepushedbacktotheirpreviouspositions.TheTalibanlostmorethanathousandlivesduringthesebloodybattlesinthewesternregion.
morethanathousandlivesduringthesebloodybattlesinthewesternregion.MullahOmaralsovisitedthesebattlefieldsbecauseallself-exiledcommandersinthecoalitionwithIsmailKhanwerefightingonthesefronts.TheiradvancementwasadirectthreattotheactualTalibancapital–Kandahar.
THERUSSIANPLANEINCIDENTANDINITIALDIRECTCONTACTWITHTHEWORLD
OnAugust3,1995,aRussianplaneTD76IlyushnIIwasintheKandaharairspaceandtravellingtowardsKabul.KabulofficialswereunawarethataplaneofthiskindhadlandedinKandahar.AfterthefalloftheNajibgovernment,thecountrywasdividedamongdifferentcommanders,andsoKandaharAirport’scommunicationsystemwasdisconnectedfromKabul.
WhenthesuspiciousplanewasseenontheradaranditshowedthedestinationasKabultocommunicationtowercontrol,MullahOmarwasurgentlycontacted.AmilitaryaeroplanethentookflighttoforcetheRussianplanetoland.
ThemilitaryaeroplanewaspilotedbyColonelJilaniKhanNoorzai,whohadexpertiseandexperienceinthisfield.TheRussianplanewasforcedtoland.WelaterreceivedinformationthattheplanebelongstoAiristanAirTransportfromTatarstanoftheRussianFederation.Thisplanewasloadedwithammunitionofheavyweapons,anditwaslikeasaviourfortheTalibanasthemovementwasfacingashortageofcartridgesatthetime.
Adetailedinvestigationfromthedocumentswasdecided.TheweaponswerepartoftheRussianFederation’smilitarysupporttotheKabulgovernmentledbyBurhanuddinRabbanifromAlbania(apartytotheWarsawPact).Thecartridgeswerehandedovertoamilitaryin-chargeandtheflightcrewwassenttoaguesthouse.AtranslatorwhoworkedwithSovietsduringtheUSSRinvasionandafewguardsaccompaniedtheprisoners.Theresponsibilitytoobservethemwastakenbytheheadoftheguesthouse,thelateAhmadAliKhanMuttaqi,abrotherofAmirKhan,andlaterbyMawlawiSulaiman,aresidentofLilindar,Kabul.Adelegationwasappointedtoinvestigatetheseprisoners.
TheSovietsbegancomprehensiveeffortsforthereleaseoftheprisoners.TalibandemandedthereleaseoffiftytosixtythousandAfghanprisonersiftheywerealive,mostofwhomwerereligiousscholars.AtthattimepeoplethoughtthattheyhavebeentakentoRussia.AfterthefallofcommunisminAfghanistan,inordertosavethemselvesAfghancommuniststoldpeoplethattheyhadn’tseen
ordertosavethemselvesAfghancommuniststoldpeoplethattheyhadn’tseenthoseprisoners,andtheyhadbeentakentoRussia.ItwaslaterconfirmedthattheseprisonerswerenottakenbySovietsbutkilledbyAfghancommunists.
Therewerethirtytonnesofarmsandammunitionontheaeroplane,andsevencrewmembers:VladimirSharpatov(Commander),GazinurKhairullin(Co-Pilot),AlexanderZdor(Navigator),AskhadAbbyazov,YuriVshivtsev,SergeiButuzovandViktorRyazanov.
ThenegotiationsbetweentheTalibanandSovietstookalongtimebecausetheTalibanwerenotofficiallyrecognisedbyanycountry.ItissaidthatanAmericanSenatorHankBrownwasmakingindependenteffortsinthisregard.Russianprisonersalsorequestedthatthemaintenanceoftheaeroplanemustbetechnicallymonitoredandtheenginescheckedfromtimetotime.TheTalibanacceptedthisbecauseofinternationalstandards.Theprisonersweretakentotheairporteveryweekandlateron,aftertwoweeksonaFridayforchecking.
Theone-yearcustodyoftheaeroplanepassed.
OnFriday,August16,1995,thecrewmemberswenttotheairportalongwitharmedguardsasperroutine.Theywerenotallowedtoextendthelimitedtimeframe.ButitwastheTalibanspiritthatafterdevelopingalittletrusttheybecamecareless.Onthatdayonlysixguardswentwiththeaeroplanecrew,andtherewasnotechnicalpersonavailabletomonitortheirwork.ThreeoftheguardswentforFridayprayersandonlythreecarelessTalibanweresittingintheaeroplane,waitingforthepilotstofinishtheirroutineworkandfortheircolleaguestoreturnandtransportthecrewbacktotheguesthouse.ItappearedthatthecrewhadobservedthenegligenceoftheTalibanandbeenplanninganescape.Initiallytheystarteduponeenginewithabatteryandunderstoodthattheotherenginescouldbeeasilystarted.WhiletheTalibanalwaysthoughtthatifanaeroplanecannotcrossourairspacewithoutourconsent,italsocouldnotdepart.ButSovietswerefamiliarwiththecharacteristicsoftheirradarsandhadplannedtokeepthemselvesofftheradar.Thecrewseizedtheopportunityandclosedthedoorstothecarelessguardsandtheaeroplanequicklytaxieddowntotherunway.Themonitoringtowerinformedaircommandthattheaeroplaneismovingtowardstherunway.TheTalibanhurriedlytriedtoblocktherunwaywithaminibusbuttheplanetooktotheair,avoidingtheobstacle.Theyknew
withaminibusbuttheplanetooktotheair,avoidingtheobstacle.TheyknewthedesertrouteonthemapwithoutmountainsupuntiltheUnitedArabEmirates.TheyoperatedtheaeroplaneinalowflightmodeoverdesertsandseaandreachedSharjah.
ItwasshamefulthattheMIG22fighteraeroplanewasoutoforderthatday.Afteritbecamefunctionaltheescapedaeroplanedidn’tshowupontheradar.InitiallyitwasthoughtthattheplanewenttowardsKabulorTurkmenistan,ormaybeIran.ButnoonethoughtabouttheUnitedArabEmirates.SincetheTalibanhadveryfewaeroplanesitwasn’tpossibleforthemtosendaeroplanesindifferentdirections.
Thisincidentwasveryalarmingandraisedmanyquestions,whichledtomistrustandcriticismamonglow-levelandhigh-rankingTalibanofficials.NoonesuspectedMullahOmar,aseveryonewasawareofhishabits–thatheneverhadorallowedanyonetohavesecretdealings,anddidn’tneedsecretdeals.Heopenlydidtheworkthatseemedlegitimatetohimandnevercaredaboutwhatpeoplesaid.Butpeoplebegancriticisingairportofficials,thepeopleresponsiblefortheguesthouse,andforthetransferofprisonersfromtheguesthousetotheairport.Thisdisturbedtheenvironment.MullahOmareventuallybroadcastaradiostatementonKandaharRadioandthroughwirelesscommunicationtoallsecuritypits.
InthestatementMullahOmarsaid:Wecompletelyinvestigatedtheissueoftheaeroplaneescape.Exceptnegligence,noonefromtheTalibanmovementwasinvolvedinit.Thisincidentwasasdestined.WeexpectnodoubtfromanyTalibonanyoneregardingthisincident.DonottalkunjustlyagainstanyoneasitislikesayingsomethinginvisibleandblamingotherMuslims.FearAllahandkeepquietregardingthisincident.
AfterthisstatementIneverheardanyonetalkingaboutthisincident.Everyonewasoftheopinionthatitwasanaccidentandfated.Thesituationimmediatelyimprovedafterthisstatement.
INTENSEWARINTHEWESTANDTHEBLOODIESTFRONTLINE
FromMarchtoSeptember5,1995,theTalibangotcontrolofHerat’sprovincialcentreafterafiercebattleonthewesternfrontline.WhentheTalibancaptured
centreafterafiercebattleonthewesternfrontline.WhentheTalibancapturedFarahandNimruzinthespring,MawlawiAbdulGhaniJawzjaniwasappointedNimruzgovernor,QariAhmadullahasthepolicechiefandMawlawiIzzatullahArifastheheadoftherevenueoffice.TheseprovincesremainedunderTalibancontrolforalmosttwomonths.
TheTalibanwereundermilitarypressurefromHeratneartheShindandarea,andawarwithIsmailKhan’sforceswasunderway.WhenoppositionforcescapturedFarahontheoccasionofEid,onMay10,1995,manyTalibanweremartyred,injuredandimprisoned.ThecaretakergovernorofFarahMullahObaidullahAkhundwasalsoimprisoned.IsmailKhan’sforcesthenattackedNimruzfromtheIranside,andallTalibanmilitantswerebesieged;GovernorAbdulGhaniandafewotherssuccessfullymanagedtoescape.Thepolicechiefalongwithafewofhisfriendsfoughtalldue,andwasarrestedattheendofthedaybecauseofashortageofarmsandammunition.Afterfightingforalongperiod,MawlawiIzzatullahArifwasalsomartyred.SeveralkeyTalibanwereimprisoned,includingMullahObaidullahAkhund(DefenceMinisterintheTalibanregime),MawlawiAbdulSamadfromBoldak,andQariAhmadullah.Theywerelaterreleasedinanexchangeofprisoners.QariAhmadullahandhisdeputyMullahAbdulBariwereexcludedfromthisexchangeandremainedinprisonuntiltheconquestofHerat.
InJunethebattlesincreasedonceagaintorecaptureFarahandtheTalibansucceededincapturingafewdistrictsandkeyareas.AfiercewarwasongoingtoadvanceonHerat.MullahOmarwasmonitoringthiswarandhevisitedthefrontlineseveraltimes.IsmailKhanandhiscoalitionforcesplannedtoconquerKandaharandHelmand.DuringthiswarthegeneralcommanderoftheTalibanHajiMullahMuhammadAkhundwasmartyredandtheTalibanweredefeated.Intwodays,warspreadfromtheFarahbordertoGereshkdistrictinHelmand.
FEAROFKANDAHAR’SCOLLAPSEANDTHEHISTORICBATTLEOFGERESHK
InthelastweeksofAugust1995,thewesternwarfrontwerepushedbackbyIsmailKhanandhiscoalitionforces,withthesupportofAhmadShahMassoud’sforcesandformermilitantsfromKandaharandHelmand.TheFarahdistrictcentrewascapturedfromtheTaliban.TheymovedforwardtowardsHelmandinafewdays.TheTalibanlosttheirspiritafterthemartyrdomoftheirimportantcommanderMullahMuhammadAkhund.Thewarreachedthe
importantcommanderMullahMuhammadAkhund.ThewarreachedtheShurawoMandaareaofGereshkdistrict,andtherewasathreattothedistrict.TheenemyhadplannedtomovetowardsKandaharaftercapturingGereshk.
EYEWITNESSTOTHESITUATION
Atthetimetherewere13Talibangroups,andIwasthecommanderofasmallTalibangroupinSpinBoldak.BoldakwasinitiallyconsideredanimportantTalibancentrebecauseafterMaiwand,itwasanotherkeydistrictcentrefromwhereTalibanhadcapturedKandaharcity.
ThemartyrdomofMullahMuhammadaffectedthebattleinthewestastheTalibanhadlostastrongcommander.HeledtheTalibaninconqueringhalfofAfghanistan,andtheTalibanhadsucceededbecauseofhiswartactics.Headoptednewwarstrategiesandkeenlyobservedthemanoeuvresofenemies,whichresultedinvictorieswithfewerlosses.HewaskindtowarprisonersandfollowedIslamicprinciplesduringwar.Healwaystriedtominimisethelossoflifeorinjuriestoopponents.MullahMuhammadwasfamousasanexpertwarcommanderinthejihadagainstSoviets,andwasamongthefirstandatrustworthycommanderofMullahOmarfromthebeginningoftheTalibanmovement.HewasverydeartoMullahOmarandbecauseofthis,MullahOmarusedthename‘Marhoom’forhiswirelesscommunication.
ThedefeatinthiswarandthemartyrdomofMullahMuhammadresultedintheTalibanbeingpushedback.TherewasathreatthatKandaharandHelmandcouldfall.MullahOmaraskedforsupportingTalibanforcesfromotherareasincludingBoldak.MullahKhairullahwasthenthedistrictgovernorforBoldakandalsoanofficialspokespersonfortheTalibanmovement.Heandhisfriend,thecommanderMullahDostMuhammad,preparedforwar.IaccompaniedthemandselectedanRPGlaunchertocarry.IsawthislauncherwiththemujahideeninthewaragainsttheSovietsduringmychildhoodandsoitlookedbettertome.WebegantravellingintheafternoonandreachedKandaharatnight.WhenweleftKandaharcity,avehiclewithtintedwindowswasover-speeding.Whenthedriversawthishereducedthespeedandthecarstopped.MullahKhairullahandMullahDostMuhammadwentuptothevehicle;wealsoaccompaniedthem.MullahOmarwasdrivingthisvehicle.Hespokepolitely,andsaid:“Iamgoingtoarrangemoremilitantsandmilitaryequipment.Wewillprepareourselvesfor
toarrangemoremilitantsandmilitaryequipment.Wewillprepareourselvesfortomorrow’swar.YougotoHelmand.”Hiscalmnessgivemecourageanditwasmyfirstparticipationinabattle.
WemovedslowlyandinthemorningvehiclesfulloffleeingTalibanwhohadfoughtthroughthenightcametowardsus.ThecloserwegottoGereshk,themoreTalibanwesawfleeingfromthewarfrontline.WhenwereachedGereshk,MullahKhaliqDad,thebrotherofMullahDostMuhammad,wasstandingwithRussiancannonsonablockadedroadsothattheTalibancannotescapethearea.WhenwemetMullahKhaliqDadhewasweepingoverthemartyrdomofMullahMuhammad.
AttheendtheycontrolledthefleeingTaliban.MullahOmarvisitedafewtimesandmademadearrangementsforweaponsandmilitantstocontrolthebattlefield.IsmailKhan’splanesheavilybombardedtheGereshkbrigadeuntilnoon.IntheafternoonwemovedtwokilometrestowardsKandaharandestablishedatemporarybasethereneartheChahalMeelarea.Intheafternoonitwasannouncedthatwewillattackenemyforcesastheyareplanningtoattackus;itisbetterthatwedosofirst.
DuetotheeffortsofMullahOmar,repairedtanksalsoarrived,whichboostedthemoraleoftheTaliban.ThiswasahistoricdaybecausetheenemywasdreamingaboutcapturingthemainbaseoftheTalibanmovementinKandahar.Therewereonly800Talibanwhiletheenemyhadaerialsupportandthousandsofmilitantsequippedwithtanks.Ourattackwaslikea‘suicideattack.’AvowwastakenfromalltheTalibanthatnoonewouldretreatandwewouldfightuntilourlastbreath.
Theattackwasorganisedinamannerthatthearmouredtanksandotherheavyvehicleswouldbewiththeforcesonthemainroad,andonebigforceequippedwithheavymachineguns,82MMcannons,RPGrocketsandlightmachinegunswillmovetowardstheleftandtherightsideoftheroadin4x4vehicles.Theentireareawouldbecoveredsothattheenemycouldn’tbesiegetheTaliban.
Thewarstartedaftertheyattackedbeforeafternoonprayers.Wequicklywenttowardstheleftsideoftheroad.Awhite4x4vehiclespeedilycrossedusandunloadedTalibaninbetweentherivalsandtheyattackedtheenemylines.Iwassurprisedbyhowquicklytheyreachedtheenemy,whowasnotabletotarget
surprisedbyhowquicklytheyreachedtheenemy,whowasnotabletotargettheminreturn.Wefollowedthemandsawanarmouredtankgoingahead.ItookoutanRPGtohitthetankbutwhenIpressedthetrigger,itdidn’twork.Itoldmyfriendthatitwasn’tworking,whorepliedthatitwasanoldrocketandthepinwasbroken.IjoinedMullahZahirfromBoldakandsharedhisRPG.HewasfamousforhittingtargetswithanRPG.ThefirstRPGfiredamagedthetankandbecamenon-functional.
TheTalibanfoughtthisbattleasadecisivewar,usingthefullextentoftheirwillandpower.Wesawaerialbombardmentandthoughttheywilltearustopieces,andtherewerechantsofAllahuAkbar(GodisGreat)alongwithgunshots.
MullahZahirtargetedanothertankandfiredgunshotsatothertanksaswell.Oursmallgroupofseventoeightfightershaddominatedtheenemyfighters.Intheeveningthebattlefieldenvironbecamecolourfulbecauseofgunshots.Westoppedfiringbecauseoftheshortageofcartridges;asoneofourcolleaguessaiddonotusemorecartridgestoavoidthesiege.Thevehiclecarryingweaponsandcartridgeswasatalittledistancefromusandtherewasdrylandbetweenus.Fearingtheweaponsshortage,Irantowardsthevehiclewithoutthepermissionofmyfriend.Oneofthemfollowedme.MilitantsfiredatuswithmachinegunsbutluckilywereachedthevehicleandtookaboxofKalashnikov,LMGandRPGlaunchercartridgesandreturnedsuccessfullytoourpositions.Ourfriendswerehappyandweresumedourattack.Victorychantsbeganandtheenemystartedtoretreat.Wewentclosertothedamagedtanks.Thetankdriver/operatorhadescapedandtherewasaninjuredoldmannearbywithabigwatercanonhisback.HispocketwasfulloftheRabbanigovernment-issuedmoney.Oneofourfriendsaskedhimifthisiswhyhewenttowar.Hereplied,“IthoughtIwouldhavemoretimetolivebutIthinkitistheendformenow.”
Thebattleendedandwewerefeelingatease.Afteroneweekweadvancedagaintowardsanotherside,andtheenemy’sheavylossesaddedontoourvictories.
OursmallgroupwenttoGereshkcity.Thenumberofpeopleinthegroupincreased,buttheconditionsherewerequitealtered.ThousandsofyoungandoldboysandmenhadreachedtheretosupporttheTaliban.Everyonewantedtotakerevenge,becausewhenthenewsspreadinKandaharthatformermilitantswerecomingtothecityonceagain,peopleroseupagainstthem.Theywantedto
werecomingtothecityonceagain,peopleroseupagainstthem.Theywantedtoprotecttheircity,lives,honour,andwealth,andtookupweaponstofightagainstillegalmilitiaswithoutbeingasked.OnthatdaycommanderMullahBurjanwasunabletoparticipateinthewarashewasinjured.InKharqaycentralmosque,peoplewererequestedforsupport.PeoplenotonlycametoGereshkbutalsobroughtvehiclesfulloffoodincludingfreshgrapes,cookedmeat,andbread.PeoplebroughtwhatevertheyhadtosupporttheTaliban.ThischangedGereshkintoanemotionalandenthusiasticfightingforce.Thisalsomotivatedus;Ihadneverseensuchpublicsupportandlovebefore.Asweweretiredfromthepreviousnight,wetooksomefoodandwenttoMullahKhaliqDad’splace.Todayitwasnotanenvironmentofwar,andtherewaspeace.
Around9amthenextday,MawlawiAbdulMananHanafi,MullahKhaliqDadandMawlawiDostMuhammad’sfriendspreparedmeatandtea.Afterhavingteaataround9:45am,oneofourfriendssaidthatthefamouscheckpointcommanderNadirJanhadbeenarrestedandwasbeingtakentoKandahar.WealsowantedtoseehimsoIrantowardstheroadandstoppedaHinovehiclethatwasfullofTaliban.Someweresitting,othersstood,andandold,agedmanwithawhitebeardwassittinginthemiddle.Iwassurprisedbyhowthisbeardedoldmanhadcommittedmajorcrimeslikedishonouringwomenandmurders.
ThevehiclesleftinthedirectionofKandahar.WesawMullahOmar’svehiclespeedingontherouteandwhenhesawtheHinovehicle,hestoppedhiscar.NadirJanwastakendownandMullahOmarshothimintheheadwithhishandgun.Accordingtomyinformation,hewasthefirstandthelastpersonwhoMullahOmarkilled.NadirKhanwasacommanderwhohadanillegalcheckpointwithabadreputationnearMullahOmar’shouse.Heabductedwomenfromvehiclestodishonourthem.ThischeckpointwasconsideredoneofthereasonsfortheuprisingofMullahOmar.
AtnightundertheleadershipofMullahRahmatullah,MullahAbdulSalamandothercommandersfollowedenemyforces.InthemorningwhenwereachedDilaram,thecentraldistrictofNimruz,theopponentslefttheareaafteralittlewhileandfledtowardsthedistrictcentreofFarah.Thedeadbodiesoftheenemylayonbothsidesoftheroad.TheseheavylossesbroketheirmilitarystrengthbutIsmailKhan’saeroplaneswerestillheavilybombardingourterritories.
ILLEGALTREATMENTOFPRISONERS
WhenwemovedfromGereshkthenextday,wesawthedeadbodiesofprisonerswhohadbeenkilled–notundertheinstructionsofanycommander,butbycommonTaliban.TherewereafewTalibanwhodidnotparticipateinbattle,butkilledprisonersafterwards.UnfortunatelyafterthedeathofMullahMuhammadnoothercommanderfocusedontheissueofstoppingtheTalibanfromillegalactions.MullahMuhammadneverallowedanyonetokillprisonersofwar.ManyTalibansaidthatthosemilitiamemberswhowereforgivenbyMullahMuhammadwerefightingagainstthemagain,sotheyshouldnotbepardoned.ItistruethatthereweremanyexiledmilitantsofKandaharandHelmandwhoafterbeingforgivenhadagainfoughtagainsttheTaliban.
ThisillegalactwasdonebyafewcarelessTalibanasrevengeforthemartyrdomofMullahMuhammadandotherTalibanduringthesewars.TherewasnosovereignandpowerfulcommanderafterMullahMuhammadwhohadtheauthoritytostopthem.MullahRabbani’spresencelatercontrolledthesituationtodegree.
MullahRabbaniwasoncenearlytrappedinarelatedincident.Hewantedtoprotectawhite-beardedHeratiprisonerfromaTalib.HerantowardshimbuttheTalibfiredanditwasaclosecallforMullahRabbani.TheprisonerwasprotectedandthatTalibfacedseverepunishmentfromtheTaliban’sleaders.
ThemajorityoftheprisonerswhowerekilledweremilitantswhohadfledfromKandaharandHelmand,sotheTalibanhadnomercyforthem.Eventhoughtheratioofkilledprisonerswaslow,thisimpactedmymindnegatively.Ievenbecamedoubtfulaboutthelegitimacyofthisholywar.Thisvictorywasacelebrationformypeers,butIfeltpressuredanddowncast.
MullahMuhammadRabbani,whowascontrollingthewar,saiditwasanillegalactandthatnooneisallowedtokillprisoners.HewasnotabletomonitorthesmallTalibangroups.MullahOmarhadalsoinstructedthatnotasingleprisonershouldbekilled.ButintheseunorganisedoperationsafewprisonerswerekilledbyirresponsiblecommonTaliban.Ihadneverseenasimilarincidentwhereprisonersarekilledwithoutfacinganyjustice.Thissideofwarlookedbrutaltome.EventhenIwassurethatthiswasapurelyholywar,andtheparticipationof
everysingleTalibinthiswarwaspurelyholy.ButIrealisedthattheholinessofwarisveryhardinrealityifafewTalibancandeviateandcommitacrime.Whatwouldothersdoduringwar?Iacceptedthathumanbeingscaneasilybecomeusedtomurders.Isaidtomyself:OAllah!Donotmakemeahabitualmurderer.
Thesamebecamemyfate.MyfriendsheadedtowardsHeratwithambitionsofitsconquest.IwenttillAb-eKhurmamountain,andafterthatIknewthattheTalibanhadnomorelossesanddidnotneedmoremilitants.Inthisfightthepeopletakingrevengeexceededactualfighters.Therefore,withoutconsultinganyone,IreturnedtoDilaramwithCommanderHajiBashir.IwentontoKandaharandremainedinBoldakforacoupleofmonths.IhandedoverthegroupweaponstotheBoldakdistrictgovernorandbadefarewelltomilitarystruggle.AfterthatIwasinclinedtowardsculturalandpoliticalservicesintheTalibanmovement.
WINNINGHERAT
Afteraweekofwar,theTalibancapturedthecentraldistrictofHeratonSeptember5,1995.IsmailKhan’sforcesputuparesistanceoutsideHeratandavoidedwarwithinthecity.IsmailKhanandhiskeycommandersescapedtoIranthroughtheIslamQilaarea.NimruzandFarahwerealreadyunderTalibancontrol.TheTalibanstartedaclearingoperationinthesurroundingsofHerat,andgotcontrolofafewareasintheBadghis,FaryabandGhorprovinces,whichputthemfacetofacewithDostum’sforcesforthefirsttime.
Likeinothercities,aftercapturingHeratcitytheTalibanannouncedageneralamnesty.Afterafewdays’delay,theformerofficialsandmembersoftheoldregimereturnedandresumedtheirwork.However,thehigh-rankingpositionsanddepartmentsweregiventotheTaliban,whiletheoldstaffwasappointedtolowerpositions.
Duringoneweekofthiswar,whichstartedfromGereshkandendedwiththeconquestofHerat,Nimruz,andFarah,enemyforcesfacedheavypersonnelandmateriallosses.Almostathousandmilitantswerekilled,includingfleeingmilitantsandcommandersfromKandaharandHelmand,IsmailKhan’smilitias,forcessupportingAhmadShahMassoud,andafewPanjshirisaswellwhowere
unfamiliarwiththeareaandlosttheirwayastheymadetheirescape.
TheTalibanappointedMullahYaarMuhammadasHeratgovernor.Hewasanintelligent,kind-heartedandfriendlypersonality.DuringthejihadagainsttheSovietshewasafamouscommanderattheKandaharlevel,andonthelevelofAfghanistanhewasfamousfortargetingRussianwarplanes.Hesingle-handedlytargetedthirteenUSSRwarplanes(MIG21andMIG22)withAmericanStingermissiles.HoweverthequestionarisesofhowhegotStingermissilesinthisquantity.TheansweristhathewasfriendswithHamidKarzaiduringthejihadagainstUSSRandtheywerebothfromthesametribe.KarzaiwasprobablylookingaftertheStingermissilesfortheCIAatthetime.
TheTalibantookontheofficialresponsibilitiesofanotherlargeprovince.ThepeopleofHeratareeducated,friendly,andpolite.ButvariousconspiracieswereplannedbyIranagainsttheTalibanfromtimetotimewhichalsocreatedissues.TheassassinationofthegovernorwasplannedafewtimesinIran.Atelephonesettrickedoutwithexplosiveswasreceivedatthegovernor’sofficebutintelligenceofficialsrecoveredthebombfittedintheheadsetveryexpertly.
Alongwiththegovernor,amemberoftheHighShuraandaseniorpreacheroftheTalibanmovement,MawlawiIhsanullahIhsan,wasalsosenttoHerattoestablishfriendlytiesbetweencommunitiesandtheTaliban.Hewasveryskilledinthisfield.
POST-HERATVICTORY,ANINCREASEINGOVERNMENTREVENUEFORTHETALIBAN
HeratcityistheofficialgatewayfortradewithIranandTurkmenistan.ManyproductsfromIranandtheMiddleEastcometoAfghanistanfromBandarAbbasviaHerat.ThisrouteisveryimportantforIranandAfghanistan.SimilarlytheTorundaigatenearTurkmenistanisconsideredanimportantroutefortradewithCentralAsiancountries.TheIranborderwasclosedfortradeforalongtimebutitwaslateropened.TheapproximatemonthlyrevenueofHeratcustomsatthattimewasbetween$0.5-0.6million.ThisamountwasnotinsignificantforamovementliketheTaliban.Theearningsincreasedlateron,andthisinitialamountwasalifelinefortheTalibanmovement.
UsedvehiclesfromtheMiddleEast,tyres,Mobiloil,householdproductsandothergoods,fromIrangasolineoilandfoodproducts,oilandfoodproducts
othergoods,fromIrangasolineoilandfoodproducts,oilandfoodproductsfromTurkmenistanwereimportedthroughHeratcustoms.TheNimruzborder,andthesouthernKhostborder(GhulamKhangate)alsogeneratedsomerevenue.
TheTalibanimposedveryfewtaxesonbusinessgoods.AftertakingcontroloverAfghanistan,thedailyrevenuewaslessthan$100,000,whichwasverylowascomparedtopreviousgovernmentsinAfghanistan.
DuringthewarinHerat,NimruzandFarah,theTalibancapturedahugecacheofweapons,vehicles,andarmouredtanksfromtheenemy.AfewaeroplanesandwarplanesinShindandairportwerealsotakenintocustodybytheTaliban.
AHUGEGATHERINGOFISLAMICSCHOLARSINKANDAHARANDTHEANNOUNCEMENTOFTHEAMIRUL-MU’MINEENTITLEFORMULLAHMUHAMMADOMAR
InMarch1996,theAaliShura(SupremeCouncil)suggestedtoMullahOmartocallameetingofIslamicscholarsfromconqueredareasandAfghanrefugeescholarsfromothercountriesonthegeneralsituationandwar,totaketheirsuggestionsandguidance,soourupcomingactivitiesareorganisedaccordingtoreligiousprinciplesanddirectives.
ItissaidthatinitiallythiswasrecommendedtotheShurabyMawlawiJalaluddinHaqqanithroughMawlawiIhsanullahIhsan,whoshareditwiththeothermembers,andthiswaslatersuggestedtoMullahOmar.
ThetechnicalschoolofKandaharwasselectedasthemeetingvenue.Thebuildinghadenoughspaceforalargemeeting.Atemporaryofficewasestablishedattheschoolentrancetoregistertheguestsandmakearrangementsfortheirstay.MawlawiHamdullahNomani,thedirectorfortheInformationandCulturalDepartment,wasappointedasthein-chargeofthisoffice.AhmadAliKhanMuttaqi,theguesthousein-charge,wasorganisingotheractivitiesforthemeeting.Afewofourfriendswerealsosupportingthem.Thosescholarswhocametogetherfromthesameareawantedtoliveinoneplace,andseparatelargeroomswereallocatedtothem.One,two,orthreepeopleweregivenroomsaccordingtotheircapacity.AfewguestswerealsostayingattheprovincialguesthouseandtheMaiwandHotel.TheIslamicscholarsfromKandaharreturnedtotheirhomesatnight.
returnedtotheirhomesatnight.
ThemeetingbeganonMarch30,1996,andMullahOmarjoinedonthethirdday.Beforenoonprayers,MullahOmarsummarisedthestoryoftheinitiationoftheTalibanmovementduringhisspeech.Hecriedduringhisspeech,andalmostalltheparticipantscriedalongwithhim.
Duringhisspeech,MawlawiIhsanullahIhsanemotionallyrecommendedtothegatheringthatweshouldcallourleaderas‘Amirul-Mu’mineen’whichwaswelcomedbyallofthem.Theallegiancestarted.MullahOmarwasconfusedandsurprisedbecausethiswasallunexpected.Hiseyesfilledwithtearsandhewastrembling.TheenvironmentwassentimentalasMullahOmar’sspeechwassimple,basedonthetruth,andeffective,whileontheotherhandMawlawiIhsanullahIhsanemotionallychargedtheattendees.Iaskedtwooftheseniorfriendswhetherthetitlewaspartoftheprogramme.Theysaidtherewasnothinglikethis,andMullahOmarneveraskedforit.
Therewereapproximately1400-1500registeredattendees,notincludingtheIslamicscholarswhoparticipatedfromKandahar,orthosewhomadetheirownarrangementsfortheirstay.MawlawiIhsanullahIhsan,MullahMuhammadRabbani,MullahBurjan,MullahNooruddinTurabi,MawlawiWakeelAhmadMutawakkilandafewothersfromtheSupremeCouncilattended.
AttheendofthemeetingthescholarsdeclaredtheruleofBurhanuddinRabbaniandillegalcheckpointmilitiastobeillegitimate,andissuedaverdicttoforciblyremoveRabbanifromthegovernment.ThedeclarationandtitleofAmirul-Mu’mineencausedanuproarintheopposition’spublications.
Attheendofthemeetingsuggestionandrecommendationformsweredistributed.Onthefourthdaywebroughttheseformsinhugebagsbecausethereweresomany.Acommitteewasappointedtoreviewtheseforms.
ThenamesoftheIslamicscholarswhoparticipatedthatIrecallareasfollows:
KANDAHAR:
Sheikhul-HadithMawlawiAbdulAliDeobandiQaziMawlawiSaeedMuhammad(MawlawiPasanai)Sheikhul-TafsirMawlawiAbdulSalamMawlawiAbdulWadood
MawlawiAbdulWadoodSaniMawlawiObaidullahMawlawiGhulamHaiderSheikhul-HadithMawlawiAbdulHakeemSheikhul-HadithMawlawiAbdulGhaniMawlawiAzizullahMawlawiSadozai
HELMAND:
MawlawiMuhammadKhawasMawlawiAbdulRaufMawlawiAbdulWahidMawlawiMuhammadMawlawiMatiullah
ZABUL:
MawlawiAbdulGhafoorSananiMawlawiInayatullahGhabarguwiMawlawiSaifur-RahmanAkhundzadaMawlawiMuhammadNaumanandtensofothers
GHAZNI:
MawlawiMuhammadAbsarMawlawiAbdulBariMawlawiFaizullahMawlawiAbdulSattarMawlawiRazaKhanMawlawiAbdulBasir(Raees)MawlawiIlamGulMawlawiMuhammadGhayyurMuftiRahmatullahDeobandi
MAIDAN:
AkhundzadaSahiborYousafKhelMawlawiRafiullahMuazanMawlawiMuhammadMalook
KABUL:
SheikhulHadithMawlawiTarakhelMawlawiNoorMuhammadSaqibMawlawiAhmadullahMawlawiAbdullahJanMawlawiAbdulQudoos
PAKTIKA:
MawlawiHamidullahFayezMawlawiMuhammadFaridMahmoodMawlawiMuhammadYaqoobMawlawiMuhammadOmarMawlawiRazMuhammad
PAKTIA:
MawlawiKhalilullahFiroziMawlawiFazalRahmanMawlawiHamdullahNaqshbandiMawlawiAzamGulMawlawiSahibShah(BabkarMullahSahib)MawlawiNadirJan
KHOST:
MawlawiObaidullahSabriMawlawiSaeedWaseemMawlawiAbdulRahimBilaliMawlawiAqilMuhammadKhaniKhel
LOGAR:
MawlawiMusaJanMawlawiFazalAhmadMawlawiFurqaniMawlawiShahabuddinDilawar
NANGARHAR:
MawlawiAbdulQadirMawlawiQariMahmoodShah
MawlawiQariMahmoodShahQariIlhamuddinMawlawiAbdulRasheedMawlawiAbdulBaqiMawlawiSaidRasool
KUNAR:
SheikhAbdulQadirAssadabadiMawlawiNoorJalal
LAGHMAN:
MawlawiSaeedRahman
HERAT:
MawlawiKhudaidadMawlawiJalilullahMawlawizadaHassanWaseeqi(Shiascholar)
FARYAB:
MawlawiAbdulRahman
BALKH:
MawlawiAbdulSamad
FARAH:
MawlawiNajibullah
KUNDUZ:
AkhundzadaSahibofGujjaro
BAGHLAN:
MawlawiMuhammadMuslim
BAMIYAN:
MawlawiMuhammadIslam
CONFLICTSWITHHEKMATYARSUPPORTERSINTHESOUTH
InthewintertherewasabattlebetweentheTalibanandHekmatyar’scommanderKhalidFarooqinPaktika’sUrgundistrictinwhichhewasdefeated.
commanderKhalidFarooqinPaktika’sUrgundistrictinwhichhewasdefeated.Lateron,hefacedlossesinanarmedbattlewithMawlawiMuhammadYunusKhaliscommander(Hizb-eIslamiKhalis)inPaktia’sZadranareaandescaped.HisweaponsweretakenbytheTaliban.UnderMullahBurjan’sleadership,TalibangotcontrolofSayyaf’sarmsandammunitiondepotinPaktia’sSpinaZazaiarea.IntheSpeenaShagaarea,theTalibangainedcontroloftheHizb-eIslamiHekmatyarbaseandweapons.Amoneyprintingmachinewasalsorrecoveredfromthisbase.ThismachinewasbroughtbyHizb-eIslamitoprinttheirownAfghancurrencybecauseatthattimetwoothertypesofcurrencieswereacceptedinAfghanistan–onewasprintedinRussiafortheRabbanigovernment,andtheotherwasJunbashicurrencyprintedbyDostum.Hekmatyaralsowantedtoprinthisowncurrency.
MullahBurjan’sstrategytocaptureKabulwasverysuccessful.Theenemywasengagedinavastareaandwascompelledintheendtoacceptdefeat.AftercleaningupUrgundistricthemovedwithalargeforcefromGardeztowardstheMizakkaandZazaiAhmedKheldistrictswhichwereunderSayyafandHekmatyar’sforcesandseizedcontrolofthem.TheTalibanthengotcontrolofZazaiAryubandSpeenaShaga.
ThenegotiationsbetweentheRabbanigovernmentandHekmatyarweresuccessfulandonMay24theysignedanagreementforaunitygovernment.QaziHussainAhmadplayedanarbitrationroleinthesenegotiations.AfterkillingthousandsofpeopleandbeinginoppositionforfouryearsHekmatyaronceagaindecidedtojointheAfghangovernmentunderRabbani’sleadership.
HEKMATYARADVANCESTOWARDSKABULANDTHETALIBANMOVETOWARDSNANGARHAR
AfterthesuccessfulnegotiationsbetweenRabbaniandHekmatyarandcomingtoanagreementagainsttheTalibanonMay24,1996,Hekmatyarwasgivenapositionthathe’dearlierrejected.HehadfoughtagainstMassoud’sforcesforalmostthreeyears;almostfiftythousandpeoplesacrificedtheirlives.InthefourthyearheacceptedRabbaniaspresidentandMassoudasdefenceminister.
OnJune26HekmatyarmovedtowardsKabulwithahugeconvoy.HissupporterschantedvictoryslogansuntiltheyreachedKabul.Hizb-eIslamiconvoyguestsstayedatKabul’sgovernmenthotelsforafewweeks.InthebeginningofJulyHekmatyar’ssupporterswereappointedinrelevantministries
beginningofJulyHekmatyar’ssupporterswereappointedinrelevantministriesaspertheagreement.
NegotiationswereunderwayatthattimebetweentheRabbanigovernmentandtheEasternShuraledbyNangarharGovernorHajiAbdulQadeertojointhecentralgovernmentanddefendKabulandtheadjoiningprovincesfromtheTaliban.TwoimportantentrypointstoKabul–CharasyabfromtheLogarsideandMaidanShahrfromMaidanWardak–werethenunderTalibancontrol.TheKabul-JalalabadhighwaywasundergovernmentcontroluntilSarobi,andfromSarobitoJalalabaditwascontrolledbytheEasternShura.
LedbyMullahBurjan,afterclearingthesouthernareastheTalibanfocusedtheirattentiononeasternAfghanistan.TheJalalabad-Kabulhighwaywasofstrategicimportanceatthetime.AfewcommandersintheeasternregionwereincontactwiththegovernmentwhileafewkeycommanderswereincontactwiththeTaliban.TheynotonlywelcomedtheTalibantoNangarharbutalsoensuredthemoftheirsupportastheywerefedupofadozencommandersandtheirbrutalities.
OnonehandTheTalibanwereafraidofeasternAfghanistanandadvancingtowardstheeasttobesiegeKabullookeddifficult.
InLogar,TalibanforcesundertheleadershipofMullahBurjanpreparedthemselvesforJalalabad.HajiAbdulQadeerandhissupportersalsopreparedhisforceofathousandmeninHesarakdistricttofightTalibanforcescomingfromLogar’sAzradistrict.
ThefamilyofHajiQadeerthenforcedMawlawiMuhammadYunusKhalistousehisjihadiinfluenceagainsttheTalibantostopthemfromenteringNangarhar.TheytoldMawlawiKhalisthatiftheTalibanenterJalalabadcitytherewillbeahugebloodshed.Inmid-SeptemberMullahOmar’sofficeinKandaharreceivedaletterfromMawlawiKhalisstatingthat“IftheTalibanadvancestowardsNangarhartheywillberesponsiblefortheconsequences.”ButMullahOmarunderstoodthatthisisaccordingtothewishesofHajiQadeerandDinMuhammad.Lateron,MawlawiKhalisinvitedtheTalibantoNangarharthroughtwoofhisadvisors.
UndertheleadershipofMullahBurjan,TalibanforcesmovedcarefullytowardsHesarakdistrict.OntheseconddaytheyfacedtheenemyforceinHesarak,butastheleaderoftheforceswasincontactwiththeTalibantheygavethemsafepassage.OnSeptember10,aconvoyofeasternshuracommandersmovedtowardsTorkham.ItwasattackedonthehighwaybetweenJalalabad-TorkhambyMunjay,abrotherofcommanderShumaliKhan.Thesecommanderswerebrutallymartyredinthisattack.Amongthesemartyredcommanders,EngineerMahmoodandSaazNoorwereincontactwiththeTaliban.AftertheattackMunjayescapedtoPakistan.
ThevictoriousoperationsledbyMullahBurjanwithMullahRabbani’splanningwereprogressingandadvancingtowardsJalalabad.MullahBurjanwasleadingfromthefrontandMullahRabbaniwaslookingafterdisciplineandsupplies.Everynewattackwasplannedaccordingtohisinstructions.
OnSeptember11,theTalibanenteredJalalabadcity.AtthattimetheJamiatcommanderHazratAlibroughtinafewmilitantsfromMassoud’sforcestoJalalabadcity.TheTalibanfirstfacedtheminDaruntabutafteralittlefightingtheyescaped.JalalabadcitycameunderTalibancontrolwithoutanybattle.TheTalibanforcesmovedtowardsKunarandLaghmanandseizedcontrolwithoutfacinganyresistance.TheTalibanwerewelcomedbythepublic.Allthemilitiamenwhosurrenderedafterdisarmamentwerepubliclyforgiven.
AftertheconquestofNangarhar,MawlawiMuhammadTahirAnwari(popularlyknownasHajiMudeer)wasappointedgovernor,buthedeclinedtheofferstatingthatitwasaverycomplexjobandhewasnoteligible.MullahOmarbecameangryandsaidthatIamorderingthisasanAmirasyouhavethecapability,butherecusedhimself.
MawlawiMuhammadTahirAnwariwasaresidentofZurmatdistrict,Paktia,andwasaclosefriendofMawlawiNasrullahMansoor.WhenMawlawiNasrullahMansoorwasPaktiagovernor,Anwariwasgarrisoncommander.Priortothathewasamanagerofthearmoury,andsohewasfamouswiththetitleMudeerSahib.Hewasarighteouspersonandlikedasimplelife.HewasnotfondofpowerandauthoritythoughafterthecaptureofKabulhewasappointedbyMullahOmaraschiefoforganisationalaffairs.HealsoservedasfinanceministerandplanningministerduringtheTaliban’sgovernment.Inadditionto
ministerandplanningministerduringtheTaliban’sgovernment.Inadditiontohiseducationalcapabilities,hewasveryintelligentandexperiencedinorganisationalwork.
AfterTahirAnwarideclinedtheoffer,MawlawiAbdulKabir,theLogargovernor,wasappointedNangarhargovernorandMawlawiAbdulHakeemwasnamedthegovernorofLogar.MawlawiAbdulKabirwasalsotheeastzonein-chargeoftheTalibanandremainedinthatpositionaswellasNangarhargovernorandthedeputyofMinistersCouncil(Shura)untiltheendoftheTalibanregime.MullahOmartrustedhimalot,andhewasoneofthemostpowerfulTalibanofficialsafterMullahOmar.
Chapter3:TakingKabul,September26
AfterthedefeatofHizbandShura-eNazarcoalitionforcesinSurkhakanarea,Laghman,theTalibanledbyMullahBurjanadvancedtowardSarobi.Atthebeginningofoperationsagainsttheenemy,MullahBurjanwasmartyredafterbeinghitbyan82MMcannonshell.TheTalibanconcealednewsofhisdeathuntilthecaptureofKabulsoasnottoboosttheenemy’smorale.MullahOmarwasfeelingsosadthatevenadvancingtowardsKabulwasnotenoughtoassuagehisgrief.AfterMullahMuhammadAkhund,hewasthesecondseniorcommanderwhosedeathwasamajorincidentforMullahOmar.
TheTalibanbecameathreattoKabulfromallfoursides,andtheMassoudandHekmatyarforceslosttheirmorale.TheTalibanwerereadytoattackfromMaidanShahr;similarlyTalibanforcesfromAzradistrictmovedtowardsCharasyab,Kabul.TheoperationbeganonbothsidesofSarobi,andtheTalibanledbyMullahFazulfromLogar’sHeserakdistrictalsocametoSarobi.
ThecoalitionforcesinSarobiputupastrongresistance,andfourteendaysafterconqueringJalalabadtheTalibangotcontrolofthedistrict(onSeptember25).Thecoalitionforcesabandonedmostoftheirweaponsandfled.AfterthattheTalibanattackedKabulfromallfourdirections.Massoud’sforceslosttheirmoralebecauseofacontinuousmonth-longwar.ThisdisruptedMassoud’stacticalplanandhewasunabletomanageanewstrategy.
ThenewadvancementofTalibanforcesandthebloodlessvictoryoftheeasternprovincesincreasedtrustintheTaliban.ThepublicsupportforandwarmwelcometotheTalibaninKabuldemoralisedMassoudandhiscoalitionforces.AfterthecontinuousattacksonKabul,whichstartedonSeptember25andcontinueduntilthenextevening,Massoudandhissupportingforceswereunabletoresistanyfurther.OnthenightofSeptember26,thecoalitionforcesescapedtowardsthenorthofKabul.
AfewlocalresidentsinnorthKabulstoppedtheescapingPanjshirisandrobbed
AfewlocalresidentsinnorthKabulstoppedtheescapingPanjshirisandrobbedtheirfamilies.Massoudandhiscommandershadlefttheareaearlier,andafterthatSayyaf,HekmatyarandRabbaniescapedandgatheredinthePanjshirvalley.AftertheTalibanreachedPanjshirvalley,Rabbani,HekmatyarandafewotherofficialsmovedtoTajikistan.
DuringthenightofSeptember26theTalibanenteredKabul.InthemorningofSeptember27,afterNajibwaskilled,hewashangedinArianaSquare.Afterlongperiodsofwar,theresidentsofKabulfelttheenvironmentwaspeaceful.Thiswaswhytheycelebrated,andinafewareasofKabultheywelcomedtheTalibanwithflowers.ThemurderofNajibwasdecidedonbeforetheentrytoKabul.MullahAbdulRazzaq,MullahYarana,AbdulSalamRocketiandafewothercommandershadreachedaconsensusonthis.TheywereoftheopinionthatifNajibiskeptalive,hewillbeprotectedbecauseofinternationalandregionalpressure,whichwouldbeakintoprotectingahugemurdererofthepeople.TheTalibankilledhimbecauseasaKhADintelligencechiefduringtheRussianinvasionheintentionallykilledthousandsofMuslims.TheTalibanmovementotherwiseavoidedkillingprisonersofwar.IsmailKhankilledmorethanathousandTalibanduringdirectcombatbuttheTalibanneverdecidedtokillhimduringhisimprisonment.HeremainedinaTalibanprisonforthreeyears.Hewasanopponentandnotamurdererofthepeople.
TalibanwereassignedtobringNajibfromtheUnitedNationsoffice.Afterhewasbroughtoutoftheoffice,hewaskilledwithahandgunandhangedinArianaSquare.
KABULVICTORY,TALIBANRULEANDTHEINTERNATIONALRESPONSE
AdayafterthecaptureofKabul,MullahOmarassignedcontrolofKabultoaShuracomprisingsixmembersincludingMullahMuhammadHassan,MullahAbdulRazzaq,SayyedGhiasuddinAgha,MullahMuhammadGhausandMullahObaidullah,undertheleadershipofMullahMuhammadRabbani.
AstheleaderofaneworganisationMullahMuhammadRabbaniannouncedthepolicyoftheTalibanduringthefirstmediaevent.ThisincludedacompleteIslamicsystem,terminationandchangeofambassadorsandstaffappointedbytheformerregimeinembassiesandconsulates,anannouncementofageneralpardonformilitiamenwhosurrenderandhandtheirweaponsover,theopening
pardonformilitiamenwhosurrenderandhandtheirweaponsover,theopeningofhighways,defendingtheTaliban’sstanceonthemurderofNajibandhisbrother,welcomingZahirShahasanAfghan,theannouncementofpeacetalkswithDostum,andotheractivities.
AftertwodaystheheadsofofficeswhowereinKandaharweresenttoKabulasactingministers.ThechiefofKandaharInformationandCultureDepartmentMullahAmirMuttaqiKhanwasappointedActingMinisterforInformationandCulture,theheadofforeignaffairsinKandaharMullahMuhammadGhauswasnamedactingMinisterforForeignAffairs,MullahAllahDadastheActingMinisteroftheCommunicationsMinistry,MullahObaidullahasActingDefenceMinister,MawlawiHamdullahNaumaniasActingMinisterofHigherEducationandKandaharintelligencechiefMullahKhaksarastheActingMinisterforSecurity(intelligence).ChangesweremadeovertimeandnewpeopleappointedasministersanddeputyministerslikeQariAhmadullah(Ghazni)asInteriorMinister,MawlawiMuhammadTahirAnwari(Paktia)asFinanceMinister,QariDinMuhammadHanafi(Badakhshan)asPlanningMinister,MawlawiAbdulRaqib(Takhar)asRefugeesMinister,MawlawiAbdulBaqi(Nangarhar)asMinisterofMartyrsandDisabled,MawlawiRustam(Laghman)intheMinistryofUrbanDevelopment,MakhdoomAbdulSalam(Badakhshan)astheMinisterofWorkandSocialAffairs,boxerAbdulShakoorMutma’in(Kabul,Paghman)asheadoftheOlympicscommitteeandsoon.
Itwasinitiallybelievedthattheseministersweretemporaryactingministers,andthataftergainingcompletecontroloverAfghanistannewministerswouldbeappointedaccordingtoanewadministrativepolicyandthiswouldn’tbeconditionalonmembershipoftheTalibanmovement.Lateron,prolongedinternalwarsandinternationalissuesreducedthechancesofthis.
MullahMuhammadRabbaniwastheleaderoftheactingministers.Theministers’cabinetcomprisedofTalibanbutthedeputies,advisers,administrativeworkersandotherofficialswereappointedfromformergovernment,sotheTalibandidnotfaceadministrativeandprofessionalissues.
AftergainingcontrolofKabul,theTalibangarneredtheattentionoftheregionandtheworld.Somekeynewsitemsbasedontheworld’sresponsetotheTalibanareherebydescribed:
Talibanareherebydescribed:
OnthefirstdayoftheKabulvictory,theRussianForeignMinistryissuedastatementthatthecollapseofKabulhasfurthercomplicatedtheissueofAfghanistanandthattheUnitedNationsshouldforcetheTalibantoestablishabroad-basedgovernment.
OntheseconddayoftheKabulconquest,thespokespersonforUSForeignAffairssaidinaninterviewwiththeVoiceofAmerica:WashingtonfeelssorryforNajib’sexecution;theTalibanshouldadoptthepathofnegotiationsandstopthesmugglingofdrugs.Theyshouldabandonthetrainingcentresofmiscreants.ItistoearlytospeakaboutofficialrecognitionfortheTaliban.TheUSpromisedhersupporttorehabilitateAfghanistan.
OnthesamedaytheUNSecurityCouncilissuedastatementcondemningthemurderofNajibandaskingbothwarringgroupstonegotiateinsteadofwar.Othercountries’interferencewasrequestedinAfghanistan’sinternalaffairs.
Onthesameday,AmnestyInternationalcondemnedthedeathofNajib.
Tajikistan,UzbekistanandKazakhstanexpressedtheirconcernoverTalibanrule.TurkmenistanremainedneutralagainsttheTalibananddeclaredthemadangerfortheircountry.Turkeyremainedneutralandofferedtohostpeacetalksbetweenthearmedopposition.IranstronglycondemnedtheruleoftheTaliban.
PakistanshowedapositivestancetowardstheTalibanandannounceditssupportforpeacebetweenthearmedgroups.SaudiArabiaandMiddleEasterncountrieshadasimilarresponse.KeypersonalitiesfromPakistansupportedtheirgovernment’sstance.MaulanaFazlur-RehmanaskedthegovernmenttoofficiallyrecognisetheTaliban.InaninterviewwithJangnewspaperhesaid:TheUSiscreatinghindrancesfortheTalibangovernment.AllIslamicmovementsaroundtheworldshoulduniteagainstAmerica.
TheleaderoftheJamaat-eIslamicriticisedtheTalibanbecauseofhisfriendshipwithRabbaniandHekmatyar.
MawlawiMuhammadNabiMuhammadandMawlawiMuhammadYunusKhaliswelcomedNajib’sexecutionandrequestedtheAfghannationtosupporttheIslamicGovernmentofTaliban.PeerSayyedAhmedGailanideclaredthe
theIslamicGovernmentofTaliban.PeerSayyedAhmedGailanideclaredthedeathofNajibasaproperactbutaddedthathisexecutionshouldhavetakenplaceafteratrial.HeaddedthattheTalibangotpowerwithpublicsupportandnowwiththesupportoftheUnitedNationstheyshouldcallajirga.
OnOctober4,HekmatyartoldVoiceofAmerica:TheTalibanareslavesofBritainandareAmerica’smen.WedidnotfightthemproperlyinKabulandtheywillsoonbeexpelledfromthere.
OnOctober10,BurhanuddinRabbanigaveaninterviewtotheBBCinTakhar’sTaloqancityandsaid:TheTalibanareagentsofPakistan.Heclaimedthatifheremainedforsomemoretimeingovernmenthewouldhavecompletedthegeneralelection.Hesaidthiseventhoughhehadmadeafakeshuracalled“AhlulHalWalAqd”andhadnointentionsofpeacefullyleavingthegovernment.
RESPONSESOFAFGHANSLIVINGABROAD
Withtheexceptionofafewpeople,mostAfghanslivingabroadwelcomedthecaptureofKabulbytheTaliban.ThoseAfghanswhosefamilieswerelivinginAfghanistanfelttheconditionswerebetteranditwasthefirstchanceofgettingridofcivilwar.ThereforeeveryAfghanwashappy.AtthattimetheTalibanwerenotdefinedasanythingspecial,andallAfghanshadonewish–forapeacefulandunitedAfghanistan.
AfghansintheneighbouringcountriesandineverycorneroftheworldwelcomedtheTaliban.TheambassadorsinAfghanembassiesandconsulateswereinclinedtowardstheTaliban.InAmericaandEuropemanyAfghansheldmeetingsandprotestedinsupportoftheTaliban.OnOctober11,ledbyImamUddinSafi,AfghansheldaprotestinGermany.Halfoftheprotestorswerewomen.
RAPIDADVANCEMENTOFTALIBANTOWARDSTHENORTH
AdayaftercapturingKabul,theTalibanfacedoffagainstopponentsinParwan,whoescapedtoPanjshirafterashortbattle.OnSeptember30,TalibangainedcontroloftheareasuntilSalangTunnel,includingJabalSiraj.AftercapturingGulBaharmarkettheyreachedtheentranceofPanjshir.InsteadofenteringPanjshir,theTalibanfocusedonSalangtoproceedtowardsBaghlan,Pul-eKhumri,Kunduz,andTakhar.TheothersideofSalangwascontrolledby
Khumri,Kunduz,andTakhar.TheothersideofSalangwascontrolledbyDostum’sforces.TheTalibansentamessagetothemforsafepassagebuttheydeniedaccess.TheTalibandidnotwanttostartawarwithDostum’sforces.
IftheTalibanhadcontinuedtheiradvancetowardsPanjshirthatday,thedemoralisedMassoudforceswouldnothavebeenabletoresistforlong.Astimepassed,Massoud’sforcesclosedtheentrancetothePanjshirvalleywithhugerocks,anditwasnotpossibleforTalibanvehiclestoenterthevalley.OntheotherhandinthenorthofKabultheyplannedaguerrillawaragainstTaliban,sothattheysuddenlyattackedTalibanconvoysfromhouses,cropfieldsandorchards.
OnOctober5,theTalibanenteredPanjshirvalley,butitwasnotpossibletoadvancefurtherastheareawasclosedbyMassoud,andhisforcesweretargetingTalibanfromthehilltopsusingheavyweaponry.Still,theTalibanwantedtoenterthevalley.
DuetothenegligenceoftheTalibaninJabalSirajandtheadjoiningareas,Massoud’sgroupleaderssuddenlyattackedtheTalibanonOctober8.TheTalibanwerenotfamiliarwiththeareaandwerenotexpectingsuchanattack.Theirforcewasdividedintotwo.Massoud’sforcesenteredtheareaandtargetedtheTalibanfromtheorchardsandpeople’shouses.TheTalibanwerenotabletotargetthehousesinreturn.ManyTalibanwerewoundedandcapturedalivebyMassoud’sforces.
Astimepassed,Massoud’ssupporterstookadvantageoftheTaliban’ssimplicityandbeganapropagandacampaignoftribalprejudices.DifferentkindsofpropagandabroughttheresidentsoftheseareasclosertoMassoud,whohadbeenagainstMassoudduringthetimesofjihadandwhereMassoudhadverylittleinfluence.WhenhisforceswereescapingfromKabul,thesepeoplerobbedthemoftheircarsandwealth,evenforciblytakingthewomen’sjewellery.TheTalibanmadenopositiveeffortstochangepeople’smindsetinresponse.TheythoughtthatlikeinotherareasofAfghanistan,peoplewouldalsosupportandwelcomeus.
EffortswererequiredherefromtheTalibantoconvincethesepeoplethattheTalibandonothaveethnicbiasesanddonotgiveimportancetoethnic
Talibandonothaveethnicbiasesanddonotgiveimportancetoethnicprejudices.TheyshouldhaveconvincedthemujahideenandIslamicscholarsoftheareaandgivencontroltothem.
Thesituationworsenedlater,andtheattacksfrompeople’sorchardsandhousescauseddistrustamongtheTaliban.InafewmonthstheseareaswereexchangedbetweentheTalibanandMassoud’sforcesseveraltimes.ThisspiritofbattlefieldvictorycompelledtheTalibantoburntheorchardsandforciblyexpelpeoplefromafewareas.Thisbecameasourceofshameandachallenge.DuringthejihadagainsttheUSSRtherewasnoethnicdivisionamongthesepeople,andtheyfoughtverycourageouslyagainstKabul’scommunistregime.ThereweremanyfamousTajikjihadicommandersfromtheseareaswhowereaffiliatedwiththeHizb-eIslamiandwereagainstMassoud.ThisincludedSufiPaindafromSalang,UstadSaboorFarid,UstadFatahMuhammadfromParwan,EngineerTariqfromJabalSiraj,AlmasofParwan,KareemfromQaraBagh,HajiDawoodofKalakan,SufiNaeemofKalakan,andHajiQadirfromMirBachaKot.
ManyPashtuncommanderswereaffiliatedwithJamiat-eIslamiundertheleadershipofRabbani,includingAnwarDangarfromShakarDarra,SufiRasoolfromFarzaarea,QariMuhibfromQaraBagh,andCommanderShaheenfromParwan.
AhmadShahMassoudconsidereditnecessarytocreateethnicdivisionsinthisareaandmadesignificanteffortsforthis.
THEDESTRUCTIONOFHOUSESANDBURNINGOFORCHARDS
InthenorthofKabul,theTalibanadvancedtowardsPanjshirvalleyseveraltimes,butbecauseofthesuddenattacksfromhousesandorchardstheyretreatedandfacedheavylosses.
MilitarycommandersandthedefenceministeraskedMullahMuhammadOmartoallowthemtoeradicatetheorchardsthatwereusedforattacksagainstthem.InresponseMullahOmarsaid:Icannotjustgiveyouorders;ifIslamicscholarspermit,Iwillnotstopyou.
TheissuewasbroughtbeforetheSupremeCourtandUlemaShura.Theypermittedthatthoseorchardscouldbeeradicatedwhichwerereallybeingused
permittedthatthoseorchardscouldbeeradicatedwhichwerereallybeingusedtoattacktheTaliban,wheretherewasevidenceofthis.Thisverdictwasnotendorsedbyallscholars.Therewereafewmilitarycommanderswhoopposedthis,liketheheadoftheeasternzoneandNangarharGovernorMawlawiAbdulKabir,wholateronbecamethedeputyoftheMinisters’Shura.HebroughttwothousandfightersfromtheeasternzonetothenorthofKabulforbattle.HeopposedthedecisionoftheDefenceMinistryandwenttoKandahar.HeaskedMullahOmarwhetherthiswashisdecision.MullahOmarsaid:No,IonlyallowedthemtoaskIslamicscholarsforadecisionaboutthis.MullahAbdulKabirsaid:ThenIamnotboundtofollowthis.Inreply,MullahOmarsaid:ifitdoesn’tseemrighttoyou,don’tdoit.
TheburningofafewhousesandorchardswasasortofcalamityfortheTaliban.Ithaltedtheiradvancementandsupportedthepropagandaofitsrivals.HatredoftheTalibanincreasedamongpeoplebecauseoftheseactivities.Itwasworsebecauseforthefirsttime,peoplefacedheavylossesfromamovementsupportedbythepublicliketheTaliban.Forciblyexilingpeoplefromthisareatootherswasevenmoreshocking.TheTalibanhadastrongstanceonthehonourandthecultureofpeopleandtheywereverycarefulaboutsuchmatters.IntheAfghantradition,therelocationoffamilieswasahumiliatingactnotbasedinlocalculture.Thiswasaclear-cutcruelactbyanIslamicmovementwhichopenedthefloodgatesforpropagandabasedonfalsifiedstories,whichbadlyimpactedtheTalibanmovement.
Thiswasexplicitlyanillegalactandwasopposedbymanyinsidethemovement.Withtheexceptionofafewmilitarycommanders,othersopenlyopposedthis,andeventuallyafewofficialscomplainedtoMullahOmar.ThisincludedMullahMuhammadRabbani,MawlawiAbdulKabir,MawlawiAbdulLatifMansoor,MullahAmirKhanHaqqani,MullahAmirKhanMuttaqi,MullahMuhammadGulNiazi,andMawlawiWakeelAhmadMutawakkil.
THEBEGINNINGOFTHEWARWITHDOSTUM
OnOctober7,tendaysafterthecaptureofKabul,theexiledPresidentBurhanuddinRabbaniandDostummettoformacoalition.Iran,Uzbekistan,TajikistanandRussiawerebehindthemovetoformacoalitionofthreerebelgroupsincludingShura-eNazar(Jamiat),Hizb-eWahdatandtheDostummilitia.Threedaysafterthismeeting,Massoud,Khalili,andDostumannounced
militia.Threedaysafterthismeeting,Massoud,Khalili,andDostumannouncedarebelgroupnamedAfghanistanDefenceCouncil(AfghanistanDifa’aShura).AwrittenagreementwassignedbetweentheminKhanjandistrict.MansoorNadarifromPul-eKhumriandHekmatyar’scommanderBashirBaghlanifromBaghlanalsoannouncedtheirsupport.Hekmatyar’sson-in-lawGhairatBahirtoldthemediatheywerenotpartytotheagreementandcoalitionastheywerenotinvited.
OnOctober13,GeneralDostumandRabbaniheldanothermeetingintheSalangarea,whichwasalsoattendedbyleadersfromSayyaf’sgroupandHizb-eIslami.TheyshowedtheirnewintentionstoattackKabul.ThreecommandersfromMassoud’sforces–CommanderAbdulQadir,NisarAhmadandMuhammadNazeer–opposedhisagreementtojoinacoalition,andjoinedthecentralgovernmentinstead.TheywerewarmlywelcomedbytheTaliban.
AfterafewdaystheDostummilitiatookpositionsagainsttheTalibaninthenorth.OnOctober26,thefighterjetsofDostum’sforcesbombedtheTalibanbattlefrontline.ThenextdaytheyhittheTaliban’smilitarybasesinBalaMurghabdistrictinBadghis.
Asarepresentativeofthecoalitionforces(DefenceCouncil),MassoudwarnedtheTalibantoleaveKabul,otherwisetheywouldtakeitbyforce.TheysimilarlypromisedtotheUNthatKabulshouldbede-militarisedandtheTalibanandforcesofDostum,Hizb-eWahdat,andShura-eNazarshouldjointlyruntheKabulgovernment.ManyexpertsdeclaredthisaconspiracybyformermilitiastogaincontroloverKabul.BeforetheTalibanmovement,thesegroupswereinvolvedinarmedconflictsanditwasnotpossibleforthemtoformaunitygovernmentbasedontrust.Theywerealsounabletoestablishaunitedgovernmentandsysteminthecountry.TheirmilitantswereforcedtoformatemporarycoalitionagainsttheTalibanthroughtheeffortsandarbitrationofothercountries.Evenduringthewartheydidnottrusteachotherandtheirmen.Whentheygotcontrolofanycity,theylootedthehomesandwealthofpeoplebeforetheirleadersarrived.ForexampleaftertheescapeofGeneralMalik,whenDostumforcesregainedcontrolofMazarcity,coalitionforcesandHizb-eWahdatmilitiaslootedthecity.
TheTalibansentthousandsoffighterstothenorthernwarfrontlineunderthe
TheTalibansentthousandsoffighterstothenorthernwarfrontlineundertheleadershipofMawlawiJalaluddinHaqqanifromLoyPaktiaandMawlawiAbdulKabirfromLoyNangarhartodefendKabul.ThistimetheTalibanagaintookthebattletotheareasofJabalSirajandGulBahar.Thewarfrontswerenotpermanent,andchangedwithtime.
TheTalibanonlyhadanIslamicverdicttofightRabbaniandcoalitionforces.AftertheattackbyDostum’sforces,onOctober30theTalibanShuraandIslamicscholarsofficiallydeclaredwaragainstDostum.
WarensuedbetweentheTalibanandtheDostummilitiainthewest-easternprovinces,includingGhor,BadghisandFaryab.GeneralAbdulMalikattemptedacoupagainstDostum,andDostumleftthecountry.ButafterthedefeatofAbdulMalik,bloodybattlestookplacewithDostum’sforces.AfterthewarwithDostum,representativesofIndiaandIranvisitedMazar-eSharifandpromisedmilitaryandpoliticalsupporttoDostum.MeetingswithDostumwereheldinMazarinthisveinonNovember9withtheDeputyForeignMinisterofIranAlauddinBrojerdiandonNovember16withtheIndianDeputyForeignMinisterGonat.
InJanuary1997,fearinganadvancefromtheTaliban,DostumdestroyedasmallportionoftheSalangtunnelfromthenorthernside.
THECOALITIONOFTALIBANANDGENERALABDULMALIKAGAINSTDOSTUM,ANDBLOODYWAR
AbdulRasheedwasbornin1954toashepherdAbdulRahim;hismotherwasAnwarsha.HewasbornintheKhwajaKohdistrictofJawzjanandbelongedtoanUzbekfamily.DuringDawoodKhan’serahewasageneralworkerintheSheberghanoilandgaswells.AftertheRussianinvasion,hewasafighterforthecommunistsandUSSRforcesforthesakeofmonetarybenefits.Hisfightingabilitieshelpedhimtoinitiallyleadabattalion,andlateronherecruitednewsupportersandformedabrutalmilitia.HeconsideredeverybrutalactivitytoberightinsupportofSovietforces.Heselectedthetitleof‘Dostum’forhimself,becausewhenSovietforcesenteredanyvillage,theyusedacommonslogan–‘DostyaDushman’(friendorenemy).Theyheldtheirgunstotheheadsofmen,women,andchildrenuntiltheysaid‘Dost/DostumorDushman.’Manywomen,men,andchildrenanswered‘dushman’outoffearwhichledtotheirdeaths.
men,andchildrenanswered‘dushman’outoffearwhichledtotheirdeaths.TheseincidentsmostlytookplaceinPashtunareas.
Heselectedthetile‘Dostum’toshowmoreloyaltytoSoviets,andtheSovietsalsocalledhimDostum,‘ourfriend’.TheDostummilitiaisalsoknownastheGilamjammilitiabecausewhentheirfightersenteredanyareaafterabattletheylootedvillagesandhouses.
GeneralMalikwasthein-chargeofforeignaffairsforJunbish-eMilli.TheenmitybetweenGeneralMalikandDostumbeganwhenthebrotherofGeneralMalik,RasoolPehalwan,whowasknownas‘Rasool-eBeeKhuda’(MessengerwithoutGod)becauseofhisbrutality,waskilledbyDostuminconnectionwithasexualincident.GeneralMalikwaslookingforanopportunitytotakerevenge.OntheotherhanditisalsosaidthatIranhadaplanBforAhmadShahMassoudandGeneralMaliktoremoveDostumfromthepictureanddealheavylossestotheTalibanthroughaconspiracy.
Intheearlymonthsof1997thereweredirectandindirectnegotiationsbetweenGeneralDostumandtheTalibanthroughdifferentchannels.OneofthechannelswasPakistan.SeveralmeetingswereheldinIslamabadbetweentheTalibanandDostum’srepresentativeAbdulBaqiTurkistaniandGeneralAbdulMalik,theJunbishforeignaffairsin-charge,toresolveissueswithDostumwithoutengaginginbattle.InMay1997,afewofDostum’spowerfulcommandersincludingCommanderAbdulMalik,GulMuhammadPahlawanandGhaffarPahlawanrevoltedagainstDostumandannouncedhisremovalastheleaderofJunbish.
TherepresentativesofGeneralAbdulMalikinIslamabadbegannegotiationsforacoalitionwiththeTalibanthroughColonelRiazandafewothermilitarypersonnelandgovernmentofficials.MullahMuhammadGhausfromtheTalibanwaspartofthedelegationthathidmanydetailsofthemeetingsfromMullahOmar.TorestoretrustwiththeTaliban,GeneralMalikhandedoverformerHeratgovernorTuranMuhammadIsmailKhantotheTaliban,whohadrecentlycrossedtheIranbordertofighttheTalibanwithDostum’sforces.
OnMay16,1997,GeneralMalik,HeratGovernorMullahAbdulRazzaqandForeignMinisterMullahMuhammadGhaussignedanagreement.The
agreementstatedthattheTalibanwereboundtogivethecontrolofthoseprovincesofnorthernAfghanistantoGeneralMalikwhereJunbishheldinfluence,andIslamicShariaandlawswillbeimplementedinthoseprovinces.Thecentralgovernment’sruleswouldapply,andtheTalibanforceswouldvisittheseareas.Initially,therewouldbeaunitedwaragainstDostum.
MullahOmar,theDefenceMinistryandtheIntelligenceDirectoratewereunawareofthisdevelopment.MullahOmarwasinformedthatGeneralMalikisjoiningtheTalibanwithoutanytermsandconditions,andhewillhandoverallweaponstotheTaliban.ThiswasclearlydisobediencebyMullahMuhammadGhausandMullahAbdulRazzaqagainstMullahOmarandtherulesoftheTalibangovernment.TheythoughtthatiftheypresentedtheagreementtoMullahOmarhemightnullifyit,andthatifthenorthwasclearedofDostum’sforcestheycouldconvinceMullahOmar.Butthislineofthinkingledtomajorissues.
MullahOmarneveragreedthatpeoplewouldbelefttothemercyofformercommanders.InsteadtheywouldfirsthandovertheareastotheTalibanandthengivenanyofficialposition.TheobjectivefromthebeginningoftheTalibanmovementwastoeliminatetheselocalrulersandcommandersandputanendtotheirbrutality.
OnMay18,theTalibanandGeneralMalik’sforcesstartedajointoperationagainsttheDostummilitia.OnMay19,GeneralMaliktoldthemediaaboutthereasonsbehindhisrevoltagainstDostum,andhisunitywiththeTaliban.InaninterviewwiththeBBChesaid:AsperthewishesofthenationweremovedGeneralDostumfromtheleadershippositionofJunbish-eMilliIslami(UnitedIslamicFrontfortheSalvationofAfghanistan)becauseofhistreasonagainstAfghanistanandkillingmanyMuslims.TheShuraMilliIslamihasdecidedtojointheTalibanandimplementShariathroughrevoltingagainstformercommunists.
HementionedDostum’sdeputyMajidRozi,GhaffarPahlawan,GulMuhammadPahlawanandtheSamanganGovernorMawlawiAbdulQudoosashissupporters.
GhaffarPahlawantoldthemediathattheyhaverequestedtenthousandmilitants
GhaffarPahlawantoldthemediathattheyhaverequestedtenthousandmilitantsfromtheTaliban,whichtheyaccepted.HesaidmanyofthesupportingTalibanareinFaryabandafewalsoreachedSheberghan.
OnMay24,SheberghanandMazarfell,andDostumfledtoUzbekistan.AtthattimeMullahAbdulRazzaqsentthousandsofunarmedTalibanbyairtoMazarwiththeintentionofarmingthemthere.Thiswasthestartoftheworstgame.
IntheeveningMawlawiWakeelAhmedMutawakkil–unawareoftheclausesanddelicacyoftheagreement–announcedMullahAbdulRazzaqastheheadoftheBalkhadministrationandGeneralAbdulMalikasthedeputyoftheForeignAffairsMinistry.
TheapparentvictoryofMazardrewtheregionandtheworld’sattentiontowardstheTaliban.ManyAfghansandregionalcountriesdeclaredthisprovince’scaptureaspositiveforAfghanistanandsuggestedthatitsignalledanendtowarinAfghanistan.Inanannouncement,theUSStateDepartmentaskedforaceasefireandabroaderbaseforgovernment.AfewAfghanambassadorsanddiplomatsabroadannouncedtheirsupportfortheTaliban,thisincludedSaudiArabia,Pakistan,andItaly.TheCharged’AffairesofAfghanistaninItalyMuhammadNaeemMuslimyarandtheentirestaffannouncedtheirsupportfortheTaliban.TheUSgovernmentclosedtheAfghanEmbassyinWashingtonbecauseSecretarySirajKamalannouncedhissupportfortheTalibanandtheotherSecretaryYarMuhammadannouncedhissupportforRabbani.
TheTalibanadvancedtowardsBamiyan.InthenorthofKabul,alargeconvoyincludingafewimportantTalibanminsterswasgatheredtosupportMazar.InSalang,CommanderBasirSalangiofMassoud’sforcesurrenderedtotheTaliban.TheTalibanalsocapturedafewareasinBaghlan.Everyonethoughtthatthiswouldbethelastbattle.
Forthisreason,PakistanofficiallyrecognisedtheTalibangovernmentonMay25.InthenexttwodaysSaudiArabiaandtheUAEalsorecognisedtheTalibangovernment.ManyothercountrieswerealsoplanningtoofficiallyrecognisetheTalibangovernment.
OnMay28,theHizb-eWahdatandGeneralMalik’smilitiasattackedtheTaliban.ThousandsofunarmedTalibanwerebesiegedandattackedfromevery
Taliban.ThousandsofunarmedTalibanwerebesiegedandattackedfromeveryside.ThoseTalibanwhowerearmedwerenotledbyMullahAbdulRazzaqashewastakenhostagebyGeneralMalik.TheTalibanweresurprisedandunawareoftheactualsituation.GeneralMaliksaidthattheattackswerebyHizb-eWahdatforces.
AtthattimeafewleadersfromKandaharweretheretocontroltheadministrativeworksofHerat,includingMullahMuhammadAkhtarMansoor(MinsterofAirDefence),MullahMuhammadSadiq(memberoftheHighShura–SupremeCouncil),pilotJilaniKhan(airforcecommander)andHajiFazalMuhammadafewothers,whoweretakenhostagebyGeneralMalik.Afterabloodywar,theTalibanleftJawzjan,Sar-iPulandFaryab.ManyarmedandaroundthreetofourthousandunarmedTalibanweretakenprisonerbyHizb-eWahdatandGeneralMalik’smilitia.
MawlawiIhsanullahIhsanwasmartyredinbattle.MullahMuhammadGhausreturnedtoKandaharafterafewweeks.HesaidthathehidhimselfinHazaraareasandmanagedtoreachKabul.Hisbeardwasshavenandhewaswearingadouble-breastedqamislikepeoplefromthenorthernareas.Hissmallblueeyesandred-cheekedfaceandhisdressgavehimtheappearanceoftheHazarapeople.
Ontheotherside,BashirSalangionceagainswitchedloyaltiestoAhmadShahMassoudandheclosedSalang.Massoud’sforcesonceagainadvancedinthenorth,takingfulladvantageoftheTaliban’sconditions.TherewereonlyafewhundredTalibanleftinthenorth.ButinthesurroundingareasofKabul,thewarfrontlinesinthenorthwererecapturedbytheTaliban.
ThecommandofwarinBaghlanwaswiththepowerfulTalibancommandersMullahDadullahandAmirKhanHaqqani.TheysucceededinbringingPul-eKhumriundertheircontrol,buttheywerelaterpushedbacktoBaghlan.BashirBaghlani,actingonHekmatyar’sinstructions,wantedtodisarmtheTalibanandhandovertheirleaderstocoalitiongroups.ButtheTalibanverycleverlystrengthenedtheirpositionsandaftersometime,onJune19,theyenteredKunduzwiththesupportofregionalcommandersandbroughtKunduzundertheircontrol.TheysurprisinglyrepelledeveryattackonKunduz.MullahDadullahandAmirKhanHaqqanibecamefamousforputtingupastrong
DadullahandAmirKhanHaqqanibecamefamousforputtingupastrongresistance.
OnJune2,acoalitionforcecalledJabhaNijatMilliAfghanistanwasestablishedinMazarcitybyJunbish,Hizb-eWahdat,Shura-eNazar,andHarakatofMohsini,whichaimedtojointlyfighttheTaliban.OnJune6,theDeputyForeignMinisterofIranAlauddinBrojerdivisitedMazar-eSharifandcongratulatedthenewgroup,andassureditofIran’ssupport.
AcargoplaneloadedwithweaponsforAhmadShahMassoudlandedatKabul’sKhawajaRawashairportonJune6.ThepilotLieutenantColonelAbdulSabooranddeputypilotLieutenantColonelMuhammadNasirprovidedmuchdocumentaryevidenceofIranandTajikistan’ssupportandweaponssupplytoMassoud.OntheseconddayagroupofopponentswhohadrecentlycrossedintoAfghanistanthroughIranwasarrestedwithheavyweaponsinFarah’sDaniAbadarea.TheywereaccompaniedbytwoIranianmilitarypersonnelwhichclearlyrevealedthemilitarysupportofIranandTajikistanagainsttheTaliban.
TheTalibangainedcontrolofKunduzairportandrestoredcommunicationwithKabulthroughamilitarytransportplane.TheTalibanbrokethesiegeandestablishedastrongbaseinKunduzfornorthernAfghanistan.TheyreceivedmoremenandweaponsthroughairtransportandsentinjuredTalibantoKabul.
GRAVEYARDOFTHOUSANDSOFYOUTH:DASHT-ELAILA
ThenamesofthoseTalibanwhoweresenttoHeratwerenotlistedorregistered.Itwasonlyknownthattherewereeighttotenthousand,mostofwhomwerenewmadrassastudents,Talibsandhuff.TheyhadjoinedtheTalibaninthehopethatthiswouldbethelastwarandthentherewouldbepeaceinAfghanistan.Theydidnothaveweapons.Someofthemwerekilledinthecityandotherswerecapturedalive.Theywerelatertakenoutofprisons,loadedincontainertrucks,andtakentoSheberghan’sDasht-eLailadesert,killedandthrownintogaswellsandburiedintheground;someofthemwerelefttoburnunderthesun.
AfterGeneralDostumregainedpower,afewthousanddeadbodieswererecovered,andafewinternationalorganisationsalsovisitedmassgraves.ThousandsofdeadbodiesofTalibanwerefoundwiththeirhandstiedatthe
back.Around13,200Talibanweremartyredaccordingtodifferentpiecesofevidence.Onlyathousandwerearmedwhiletherestwereunarmed.TheywereinvitedbyGeneralMalikandwerehisguests.
ISMAILKHAN’SCAPTIVITYANDESCAPE
OnMay18,1997,IsmailKhanwashandedovertotheTalibanbyGeneralAbdulMalikunderanagreementwiththeTalibanForeignAffairsministerMullahMuhammadGhaus.HewasinitiallytransferredtothewestzoneleaderandthentakentoKandahar.HewasheldthereinaspecialprisonoftheAfghanintelligencedirectorate.ThenextdayMullahOmarorderedthatsomeoneshouldtalktohimindetailandthensharearecordingwithhim.IvisitedtheInvestigationDirectorateofIntelligencealongwiththeChiefofInformationandCulturalDirectorateSayyedMuhammadHaqqani.MullahOmarhadalreadycommunicatedbyphonewiththeKandaharintelligencechiefQariHamidGul.Wesatinaroom,andaftersometimeIsmailKhanwasbroughttous.Hislegswerechained.Helookedverysadandweak.
Whenwesawthisold,aged,weakperson,wefeltsadthathislegsshouldn’tbechainedatleastwhilehewasmeetingus.Istartedquestioninghim.Myfirstquestionwas‘howdoyoufeelinTalibanimprisonment?’Hesaid:IregretthatIwasinvolvedinjihadagainstSovietsandtodayIamimprisonedasaconvictinthecaptivityofMuslimbrothersandIslamicscholars.
Iaskedhim:HowmanyTalibandidyoumartyrduringthewarsandareyoustillpreparingforwar?Areyounotliableforpunishmentbecauseoftheseacts?
Hisvoicechangedandheanswered:IamaconvictbutIhopethatAmirul-Mu’mineenwillhavemercyonmeandforgiveallmysins.
ItappearedthathewasawarethatMullahOmarwouldhearthisdiscussion.WeknewthatthereweremanypeoplewhohadplanstokillIsmailKhan.Wetriedaskingquestionsthatcouldnormalisetheoverallsituation.
AfterthatIaskedhimabouthisarrest.HesaidhewasarrestedbecauseofaconspiracybyGeneralMalik.Headded:‘DonottrustGeneralMalikasheisverycunninganddishonest.’
IaskedhimaboutthedifferencesbetweenhimandMassoud.Hesaid:Massoud
IaskedhimaboutthedifferencesbetweenhimandMassoud.Hesaid:MassoudwantsShura-eNazar’sdominationoverJamiat,andhetookauthorityfromRabbani.Hehasafascistideology.IwasastrongfollowerofRabbaniandMassoudwasagainstmyforceandauthority.HealsostatedafewotherdifferencesbetweenMassoudandhim.
Iaskedhimabouthisformerjihadiachievements,andafterthisheseemednormal.Hesharedastoryofthejihaddaysaboutdiggingalongtrench.Afterthathetoldastoryabouthisson,whowasbornduringthejihaddays.Aftersixyearswhenhissonsawhim,hewasnotabletorecognisethatthiswashisfather.Healsodidnotrecognisehisson.
Hecriedafterthisstory,andwewerealsoquietforawhile.Thenhesaid:IregretthatIfacedmanyproblemsduringthejihad,andintheprisonofmujahideenbrothersIamawaitingpunishment.IholdhopeformercyfromMullahOmartoforgivemeandutilisemymilitaryskillsascommanderintheTalibansystem.
Iaskedhim:HowwillyousatisfyMullahOmarthatyouwillnottakeupweaponsagainsttheTalibanagain.Heansweredwithhopeinhiseyes:IpromiseIwillgivesurety;IwillswearbyGodthatuntilmylastbreathIwillnotopposetheTaliban.IfyouutilisemyskillsasaMuslimmujahid,IwillgarnermanyachievementsfortheTalibanlikeinthejihaddays.
IaskedtensofquestionsandsenttherecordedcassettestoMullahOmar.Afterlisteningtothecassette,MullahOmarwasoftheopinionthatIsmailKhanshouldremaininprisonuntiltheTaliban’ssystemisstronger.Hemeantthatwhenconditionsbecomefavourablehewillbereleasedaftertakingpromisesandguarantees.
IsawIsmailKhanfivemonthslaterthatOctober,whenIbroughtPakistanijournalistRahimullahYousafzaitohim.ThistimeIsmailKhanwasveryrelaxedandinanormalcondition.Heaskedmetoallowhimapenandpapertowritehismemoirs.IconveyedhismessagetoMullahOmarbutIamnotsurewhetherhewasallowedornot.
ThemainpointsofhisinterviewwithRahimullahYusufzaibroadcastonthe
BBConOctober3,duringtheeveningprogramme,wereasfollows:
TheTalibanhavenottreatedmeharshly.Weshouldhavesupportedthem.Alas!Wetookupweaponsagainstthem.TheywillsucceedinbringingSharialawtoAfghanistanbecausesuccessisforwhoeverisintheright.
IsmailKhanremainedinaTalibanprisonforthreeyears,monitoredbytheKandaharintelligencechiefQariHamidGul.
QariHamidGulwasnotexperienced,andnotcapableofsystematicintelligence.Hewasinvolvedinmanyactivitiesthatwerenotassociatedwithhim.DuringthejihadagainsttheSovietsheworkedasacommonspyforthemujahideeninKandaharandsohewastrustworthyforthoseTalibanleaderswhoknewhimthen.ButhestillhadthesamehabitsthathedidduringtheRussianjihad,likeridingamotorcycleinKandaharcityandlookingattheroofsforunknownantennasandneedlessinvolvementinafewissues.Hewasnotfamiliarwithhisjobdescriptionandauthority.Hewasnotknowledgeableandhadverylowreligiousknowledge,andthereforehewasinvolvedinbrutalactivities.OntheotherhandhewasinvolvedinnegativelypropagandisingagainsttheCentralIntelligenceChiefQariAhmadullahandaccusedhimofallowingcommunistsintotheintelligencedirectorateandthatheneedlesslytreatedpeoplesoftly,thathedidn’tpunishpeopleandthathewasn’teligibleforthisposition.
AmonthpriortoIsmailKhan’sescape,QariAhmadullahinformedMullahOmar’sofficethatwehaveaconfirmedreportofIsmailKhan’sescapeplan,ifyouhandhimovertouswewillprotecthim.MullahOmarwassurprisedandconsideredthereporttobeanexaggeration.HeimmediatelysentanimportantofficialtoMullahHamidGulwithamessagesaying:leaveotherworkandonlyconcentrateonprotectingIsmailKhan.ThisincreasedHamidGul’senvyofQariAhmadullah,andheblamedafewofAhmadullah’scolleaguesaswell.OnMarch26,2000,IsmailKhanescapedtheprisonwiththesupportofhisguards.HamidGulandhiscoworkersknewabouthisescapearound9am.
AllthemainroutesandroadswereblockedonMullahOmar’sinstructions,andtherewasstrictcheckingeverywhere.ButIsmailKhancrossedintoIranafterafewdayspassingthroughvillagesandthedesert.ItwasnotpossiblefortheTalibantocontroltheseareas.Hisvehiclealsohitaminewhichledtohimbeing
Talibantocontroltheseareas.Hisvehiclealsohitaminewhichledtohimbeinginjured.ItwaslaterconfirmedthatoneofhissecurityguardshelpedinhisescapeforahugeamountofmoneyandafterayearofnegotiatingwithIsmailKhan’sfamily.Itwasplannedforalongtime.
HamidGulwasapersonofverylowcapabilities.HispersonnelwerenotreliableincludingthissecurityguardwhowasconsideredastrustworthybyHamidGul.Hewasresponsibleforthisincidentbecauseofhisnegligence.Hewasimprisonedforinvestigation.HisdeputyHajiQahirtriedtoescapetoIranbutwasarrestedbetweenHeratandKandahar.
TALIBANRE-ADVANCEMENTTOWARDSTHENORTH
InSeptember1997,theTalibanonceagainsuccessfullycapturedthestrategicTashkurgandistrictofSamanganfromtheKunduzside.OnSeptember9,itgainedcontroloftheMazar-e-Sharifairport.MullahOmarinstructedtheTalibannottofightwithincitiesastoavoidpubliclosses.MullahOmarwantedtheopponentstoendfightingandleavethecontrolofthecitytotheTaliban.Talibanadvancedtowardstheotherareasofthecitywiththesupportofafewcommanders,buttheywerebombardedbysuspiciousplanesfromtheTajikistanside.TheTalibanofficiallyblamedTajikistanforbombardmentfromTajikistanairports.
OnSeptember13,theTalibangainedcontrolofHairatantownshipneartheTajikistanborder.TheforcesofGeneralMalikandJamiatwerepushedbacktoSheberghanfromMazar,andonlyHizb-eWahdatwasputtinguparesistance.ThewarcontinuedforaweekandonOctober4,DostumonceagaincrossedintoAfghanistanthroughTajikistan.HejoinedhissupportersandHizb-eWahdattofightagainsttheTalibanandrecapturedtheChamtalandCharbolakdistrictsofBalkh,andtheMazar-eSharifairport.TheDostummilitiasenteredthepictureagainafterfourmonths,andGeneralMalik’sforcesleftthearea.
OnOctober7,TalibanlostcontrolofHairatanport,andonOctober11theyevacuatedtheTashkurgandistrict.MazarwasrecapturedbyDostuminsteadofGeneralMalik.Mazar-e-SharifwaslootedbyHizb-eWahdatandDostum’smilitias.Shopsandhouseswererobbedandwomenweredishonoured.OnOctober16,theHizb-eWahdatleaderMuhammadMohaqiqacknowledgedthelootingbyhisforces,andsaidwewerebusyinwarandafewpeoplewere
lootingbyhisforces,andsaidwewerebusyinwarandafewpeoplewereinvolvedinthisactivity.
PeacetalksbetweenDostumandGeneralMaliksucceededbecauseofarbitrationbyIran;thissawGeneralMalikreturningtoMazaronOctober14andpromisingtotakeKunduzfromtheTaliban.
Aftersometime,conflictbetweenMalikandDostumsparkedagainasMalikandhisbrotherbeganactivitiesagainstDostuminFaryab.OnNovember22,GeneralDostumtookcontrolofGeneralMalikandhisbrotherGulMuhammadPahlawan’sbasesinMaimanacityandShirinTagabdistricts.GeneralMalikescapedtoIranandreleasedfivehigh-levelTalibanprisonersneartheTalibanfrontinBadghis,includingMullahAkhtarMuhammadMansoor,MullahMuhammadSadiq,HajiFazalMuhammad,MullahAbdulRazzaqandpilotJilaniKhanNoorzai.TheyreachedtheBadghisTalibanandwerelatersenttoHerat.
THEFINALVICTORYOFTHENORTHERNPROVINCES
Thehugedefeat,losses,andmartyrdomofthousandsofTalibaninMay1997couldn’tstopTalibanfromtheconquestofnorthernAfghanistan.ThatSeptember,theTalibanreenteredMazarcitybutwerepushedbackbyDostum’sforces.UntilJuly1998theTalibanpreparedforahugeattackonnorthernAfghanistanfromKunduz.TalibanorganisedtheirwarplansforthenorthwestfrontlineofHeratandBadghis.
OntheafternoonofJuly12,1998,Iwasasleepandsuddenlywokeupduetothesoundsoflow-flyingjets.ThiswasbecauseofthetwoTalibanpilotswholoweredtheirjetsoverKandaharcityatanyimportantvictoryandgavesignalstoMullahOmarforvictoryandcongratulations.IheardthevoiceofMasharHajiLalaonthecentralcommunicationssystemsayingthatFaryabhasbeenconquered.
Iimmediatelywenttotheoffice.Wehadalotoftelephonecalls;mediarepresentativesandorganisationswererequestinginformation.Weprovidedinformationtothemediauntiltheevening.Thenextmorning,accordingtoMullahOmar’sinstructions,wewarnedTajikistanandUzbekistantonotallowaircraftfromtheirbasestobombardtheTaliban.MullahOmaralsoannounced
aircraftfromtheirbasestobombardtheTaliban.MullahOmaralsoannouncedthattheTalibanshouldn’ttreatprisonersofwarbadly.
TheTalibanclearedmanyimportantareasofFaryabandappointedapolicechiefandotherofficialsfortheprovincialcentre.OnJuly18,DostumandcoalitionforcesrecapturedtheJumaBazaarareaofFaryab.Dostum’sairforcewascarryingoutheavybombardmentanditappearedthattheiraircraftwastakingflightfromtheneighbouringcountry.TheTalibansentafewoftheirexpertswithStingermissilesnearthewarfrontline.ThenextdayoneofDostum’sjetswasshotdownandtherewaslimitedbombardmentafterthat.TalibanrecapturedJumaBazaarafterthatandcontinuedtheiradvance.
OnJuly26,anarmedoppositiongroupof500militantsfromtheGhazniareabetweenFaryabandGhorsurrenderedtotheTaliban.Fourdayslater,theTalibangainedcontrolofFaryab’sremainingdistricts,includingDaulatabad,FaizabadandKhwajaMusa.
OnAugust2,TalibanenteredSheberghan,theprovincialcapitalofJawzjan,afterabloodywar.ForeignNGOworkersandIran’sembassystaffundertheleadershipofIranianAmbassadorMurtazaHaddadiescapedviaaeroplanes.Thenextday,theTalibanbegananattackonBalkhfromKunduzandSheberghan.Atthattime,weannouncedthatasperMullahOmar’sinstructions,ifweaponsarehandedovertotheTalibantherewillbegeneralforgivenessforallopponents.Unfortunately,welatercametoknowthatasarevengefortheDasht-eLailaincident,andignoringtheinstructionsofMullahOmar,AbdulMananNiaziandafewminorcommanderskilledmanyprisonersofwar.
OnAugust6,theprovincialcentreofBalkhDaulatAbadwascaptured,andtheTalibancontinuedtheiradvanceonthecity.OnAugust8,underthemilitaryleadershipofMullahBaradarandMullahMuhammadFazal,theTalibanenteredMazarcity.By8am,theentireareacameunderthecontroloftheTaliban.
OnAugust11,theTalibanenteredTakhar’sTaluqandistrictfromtheKunduzside,undertheleadershipofMullahMuhammadNaeem.KeyprovincesincludingBadghis,Faryab,Sar-iPul,Jawzjan,Balkh,Samangan,Baghlan,TakharandKunduzcameunderTalibancontrolandremainedsountiltheUnitedStates’invasion.
OnSeptember13,undertheleadershipofMullahBaradartheprovincialdistrictofBamiyanwascapturedandtheadjoiningareaswerealsoclearedlater.
AfewofGeneralDostum’scommandersescapedfromFaryabandJawzjantoSar-iPul.OnAugust10,33warcommandersofDostumwerearrestedduringasearchoperationinSar-iPulandimprisoned.
DuringthecaptureofMazar-eSharifatnight,elevenstaffmembersfromtheIranianConsulatewentmissing.IranrequestedtherecoveryoftheirpersonnelthroughIranandtheUnitedNations.AsearchoperationandinvestigationbeganaccordingtoMullahOmar’sinstructions,andafterafewweekstheirbodieswerefoundinaditch.IranannouncedanopenenmitywithAfghanistanandorganiseditsmilitaryontheborderwithAfghanistanforwar.
ThebodiesoftheIranianswerefoundonSeptember10andtheywereofficiallyhandedovertoIranthenextday.
AFTERMOREVICTORIES,ASHORTAGEOFEXPERTCADRES
AfterthefinalconquestofMazar,almostninetypercentofAfghanistanwasunderTalibancontrol.Afewdozennewgovernors,policechiefs,judgesanddistrictgovernorswererequiredwhichMullahOmarappointedverysoonbecauseofhisnature.
Therewereissuesofqualityatdifferentdepartments.Therewerenomajorissuesaboutthegovernors,policechiefs,andjudgesbecauseTalibanofficialswerecapableforthesejobs.ButtheTalibandidnotstrugglefortheirselectioninnationalandtechnicalorganisations.Inthenewlyconqueredareas,governorsappointedtheirfriendsintechnicaldepartments.Theexperiencedstaffofpreviousgovernmentswasneglected.Thiswasamajorgovernanceissue.
Ontheotherhand,theTalibanmilitaryinthenewlyconquerednorthernprovinceswassomewhatdominatinggovernance.Ifwelookatthecapital,afewintelligentTalibanofficialswerecontrollingKabul,likeMawlawiAbdulKabir,MawlawiSaidMuhammadHaqqani,MawlawiMutawakkil,theDeputyMinisterofPublicHealthDrFazalRabbani,theDeputyMinisterofForeignAffairsSherAbbasStanekzaiandKabulMayorHamdullahNaumani.Theywerefamiliarwithadministrativeandtechnicalwork,orwereabletofamiliarisethemselvesin
withadministrativeandtechnicalwork,orwereabletofamiliarisethemselvesinashortperiodoftimeowingtotheirintelligence.
MawlawiAbdulKabirwasprominentinadministrativeandinnovativework.IhaveheardfromtheDeputyofAdministrativeAffairsMuhammadHussainMustas’adthatitwasdifficultfortechnicalofficialstomakeofficialsunderstandthechallenginggovernmenttasks.ButworkerswerescaredofMawlawiAbdulKabirashefollowedadministrativeworkandwaswellawareinadvanceofthesituation.MawlawiAbdulKabirearlierservedasthedeputyoftheministerscouncil,Nangarhargovernor,andtheleaderoftheeasternzone.Whenthedefenceministergotinjured,MullahOmarappointedhimasactingdefenceministerforaperiod.HetoldMullahOmarbytelephone:Somepeopledonotliketheworksthatareassignedtome.Ifyouareappointingmeasdefenceminister,theirenvywillincrease.MullahOmarreplied:MawlawiSahib!AslongasIamalive,donotworry.
MullahAbdulKabirwasincontactwithMullahOmaruntilhisdisappearance.Helaterfacedallkindsofdifficultiescourageously.Hewasconsideredamastermindoforganisedadministration,economicprojectslikepavinghighways,establishmentofpublicshuras,buttherewerehindrancesintheimplementationofhisinnovativeplans.
TheintelligentTalibanofficialsweremostlyyoungmadrassagraduatemullahs.VeryfewhadreceivedreligiouseducationfromothercountriesexceptPakistanandAfghanistan.TherewereonlyafewofficialsatlowerpositionswhohadgraduatedfromreligiousinstitutesinSaudiArabiaorEgypt’sJamiatul-Azhar.MostweresenttoEgyptbyHarakatInquilabIslamiduringtheSovietinvasion.UnfortunatelythestudentswhoreceivedscholarshipstostudyatAl-AzharUniversitydidsobasedonpoliticalaffiliations,andthosestudentswerenotabletopresenttheirreligiousskills.ThisAzharigroupwasunemployedduringtheTalibanregime.TheylearnedcommonArabicfromthestreetsofEgypt,wenttoAlexandriafortourism,andenjoyedthesongsofUmmKulthum.Theyneverlookedforreligionandspirituality.TheirleaderwasMuhammadSharif,thesonofMawlawiMohammadNabi,whoreturnedfromAl-AzharandmarriedafamousAfghansingerwhohehadafriendshipwithlastingseveralyears.HisAl-AzharfriendsQasimHalimiandRahimullahHanafiwereinonhissecrets.TheyworkedasdeputychiefintheForeignAffairsministryduringtheTaliban
TheyworkedasdeputychiefintheForeignAffairsministryduringtheTalibanregime.
WhiletherewasanoverallweaknessobservedintheadministrativeworkofdifferentdepartmentsintheTalibangovernment,therewasasurprisingdegreeoftransparencyandaccountabilitywhichunderscoresthehonestyoftheofficialsandtheiraccountabilitytoMullahOmar.
ADMINISTRATIVEANDJUDICIALFUNCTIONINGOFTHETALIBAN
Asmentionedearlier,themajorityofadministrativetaskswerecarriedoutwiththesupportofstafffrompreviousgovernments.Astimepassed,afewTalibanofficialsbecamefamiliarwiththework,andafewintelligentTalibanofficialsbecameexpertsatthesetasks.
Thetechnicalstaffwasalifelineinrelateddepartments.Forexample,thepresenceofamedicaldoctor,deputy,oradvisorwasimportantinaprovincialhealthdepartment.Inthedepartmentofmines,apetroleumengineerwasrequiredasanadvisororadeputy.Theseneedsweregenerallynottakenintoconsideration,andthegovernor’sfriendsorotherregularTalibanwholackedtechnicalskillswereappointedasstaff.
TheTalibandividedAfghanistanintozonesunderthecontroloftheinteriorministry.Thiseasedtheworkbecausetheseparateaccesstoeveryprovincecouldhavebeenproblematicandeveryzonecouldeasilyinteractwiththerelevantandadjoiningprovinces.Forexample,theissuesofNuristanwerebetterresolvedfromtheeasternzoneofJalalabadinsteadoffromKabul.
WhilethesystemofgovernmentdepartmentswasfollowedproperlyinKabul,theofficialworksoftheAmirul-Mu’mineenwasnotcarriedoutinassystematicamannerasinpreviousgovernments.Mostofthetaskswerecompletedasanemergencyandinashortperiod.Butthelettersthatwereofficiallysenttotheministers’departmentfollowedallthesteps,andtheadministrativeaffairsofficesimilarlysentofficiallettersthroughtheproperchannelandwaswellorganised.ButdirectordersfromMullahOmar’sofficedidnotfollowanyadministrativesystem.
Unfortunately,aproperrecordofcommonapplications,andthelettersreceivedfrommilitaryTalibanwasnotmaintained,andcopieswerenotkeptforvery
frommilitaryTalibanwasnotmaintained,andcopieswerenotkeptforverylong.Therewasapossibilityoffraud,andfraudulentincidentstookplacetwicebuttheperpetratorswerearrestedsoon.Thesethingswereregularisedslowlyandgradually.
MullahOmarhadthreedifferentsecretariesatdifferentpoints.Twohadmoreauthority,whileonehadless.AbdulSalamKatibwasmoreauthoritativeandanindependentsecretarybuthewasunfamiliarwithmodernandinternationalissues.BeforebeingappointedtotheministryMutawakkilwasanauthoritativepoliticalandadministrativesecretary.TayyabAghawasaverypolitesecretaryanddidnotliketopersonallyinterfereinofficialwork.Hekepttotheworkthatrelatedtohimandalsodeliveredeveryone’smessagestoMullahOmar.Hehadnowishtointerfereinotherpeople’swork.HewasaliaisonbetweenMullahOmarandtheal-Qaedaleadershipbecauseofhiscloserelationswiththelatter.TayyabAghawasaveryemotionalyoungmanthenandafanofal-Qaeda’sideology.Hehadnoaffinitywithorinformationaboutglobalpoliticsanddiplomacy.
In2000,hewasleadinganArabicmagazinecalled‘AlEmara’whichwaspublishedfromKandaharinArabicandEnglish.TheArabicwritersincludedal-Qaedamembers.Onceinanarticletheyusedthetitle‘EnemyofHarmain’fortheSaudiking,previouslytheTalibanusedthetitle‘ServantofHaramainal-Sharifain’fortheking.CopiesofthesemagazineswereofficiallysenttotheAfghanConsulateinJeddahaswell.
WhentheJeddahConsulGeneralMawlawiBasheerAhmadvisitedtheKandaharSecretariat,hecametoMullahOmar’sroomwithMawlawiAbdulJalil.Iwasalsosittingthere.HetoldTayyabAghathatyouhaveusedthetitle‘EnemyofHaramain’fortheSaudikingandyouofficiallysentthismagazinetotheembassyinSaudiArabia,thisisagainstmoralanddiplomaticnorms.Ilikedtheconsul’srationalstatement,butTayyabAghacasuallytoldthem–‘youareafraid’.
HundredsofpeopleenteredMullahOmar’sofficewithoutgoingthroughasecuritycheck.Thesepeoplewereutilisedingeneralwork,likecollectingapplications,readingthemouttoMullahOmar,andreplyingtotheselettersorapplicationsasperhisinstructions.
applicationsasperhisinstructions.
ThesepeoplealsoreportedexternalnewstoMullahOmar’soffice,buttheywereactuallyemployeesoftheseniorsecretary.TheyalsodidsmalljobsinKandahar.Forexample,theradioin-chargeAbdulAhadJahangirwalwasinitiallyappointedbytheDirectorateofInformationandCulturetobringnewsfortheradiobroadcastsfromMullahOmar’soffice.LateronhevisitedMullahOmar’ssecretaryAbdulSalamforvarioustasks.ButafterthecollapseoftheTalibanregime,hefacedmanyissuesasafewpeoplecalledhim‘someoneattachedtoMullahOmar’soffice’.HealsolikedforpeopletocallhimMullahOmar’ssecretary.ThisledtohisimprisonmentinPakistanforsixyears,andafterhewasreleasedfromjailhewenttoQatar,wherehestillresides.
Onthejudicialside,theadministrativesystemwasbasedonthelegalframeworkofZahirShahandDaudKhan,andmanynewjudgeswerenotfamiliarwiththecomplexitiesofthesystem.Eventhoughtheyhadmoreeducationalexpertiseandmademoreeffort,theseissuesweremostlyresolvedbyformergovernmentclerks.Sometimestheytookadvantageoftheseissuesandengagedincorruption.Itwasdifficultforthejudgestoproperlytracethis.
Buttheenforcementoflawswasveryquickascomparedtopreviousgovernments,becausehigh-levelTalibanjudgesparticularlyfocusedonimplementinglaws,resolvingissuesearly,andlookingatclaims,sincetheyfacedpressurefromhigherauthorities.Thehigh-levelTalibanjudgeswerepartoftheTalibanmovementandtheysoughtaproperimplementationofIslamicSharia.
TherewasfakeandnegativepropagandapresentaroundtheworldagainstTalibanregardingtheimplementationofSharialaws.Inthewesternmedia,theseSharialawsweredeclaredtobetheTaliban’storture.ButasIthinknow,theselawsweremorelegitimatethanotherlawsintheworld,wheredecisionsaremadebasedongovernmentlawsandcourts.TheTalibanimplementedSharialawssothatotherpeoplecouldtakealessonfromthis.
Inmostcountries,thepunishmentformurderisdeath,butQisaswasimplementedhereafterlengthylegalprocedures.Inmyopinion,callingittorturewasjustpropagandaagainsttheTaliban.
wasjustpropagandaagainsttheTaliban.
Incontrasttothewesternmedia,therewasapositiveresponseintheIslamicworldandtheTalibanjusticesystemwasheldupasanexample.SometimesMuslimsfromIslamiccountriesdeclaredTalibanjusticeastheonlyShariajustice.
In2000,ayoungmancametoKandaharfromPakistan’sPunjabprovince.HewenttoMawlawiDilawarandtoldhimthatIcommittedadulterysometimeago,andIhavepromisedAllahthatwhenanIslamicjusticesystemisestablishedIwillpreparemyselfforpunishmentaccordingtotheSharia.MawlawiDilawarinitiallytriedtoconvincehimtotakebackhisdemand,butafterherefusedhewaspunishedasperSharia.
AMRBILMAROOF
ThemainaimandsloganoftheTalibanmovementwasbasedontheimplementationofIslamicSharia.TherewasaneedofaseparateAmrbilMaroofforcealongwithanotherjudicialsystem.Buttherewasaneedforspecialtrainingforpersonnelofthisorganisation,andspecialstandardsforselection.Unfortunately,theTalibandidnotfocusonthesebasicvalues,andtheleadershipofthisorganisationwasnotwiseanddidnothaveforesight.Theregularpersonnelofthisorganisationdidnotreceiveanyspecialtraining,nordidtheyhavein-depthreligiousknowledge.Thisledtothemunnecessarilyexaggeratinginmanytasks.Weknewabouttheirworkmethodsanditsimpactonsociety.Thereforewecriticisedafewactivitiesofthisorganisation,whichwerenottoleratedbythoseresponsible,andtheyblamedusondifferentcharges.
MullahOmarwasalsonothappywithafewoftheiractivities.Onedayhesaid:AmrbilMaroofwasanimportantorganisationforoursystem,butitisthemostimperfectandweakone.TherearemanyreasonswhyMullahOmardidnottakepracticalstepstoreformit,butIknowthesethreereasons:
1. SilenceandharmfulcarefulnessofIslamicscholars.
2. Defenceofthisorganisation’sactivitiesbyafewofMullahOmar’scloseandtrustedpeople.
3. MullahOmar’smistrustoftheopponentsofthisorganisation.
ManyTalibanleaderskeptcriticismofthisorganisationtothemselves.OneofmyfriendstoldmethatifyouwerenotclosetoMullahOmarinKandahar,oppositiontothisorganisationwouldhavemadetroubleforyou.
TheAmrbilMaroofleaderMawlawiAbdulWaliwasinexperiencedinreligiousunderstanding.Hewasayoungandseriousperson.HewassupportedbytheJusticeMinisterMullahNooruddinTurabi,whohadlittlereligiousknowledgeandrantheorganisationaccordingtohistemperament.TheadministrativeleadershipofAmrbilMaroofinKabulwaswiththedeputyministerMullahQalamuddin,aresidentofLogar.DuringthejihadhewasresponsibleforthesecurityofMawlawiMuhammadNabi.HedidnotreceivemuchreligiouseducationandwasthepersonbehindtheillegalandbadbehaviourinKabulcity.ItissaidthatduringTalibanrule,MawlawiQalamuddinoncevisitedKabultorecoverdebtsfromaborrowerandspentnightsintheAmrbilMaroofoffice.Hewasatallandstrongman.WhenhewenttoKabulcitywithAmrbilMaroofworkers,hewaslikedbyhisfriendsbecauseofpunishingandbeatingpeople.Helatergottheattentionoftheministerwhoappointedhimashisdeputy.
ADISCUSSIONWITHMULLAHOMARABOUTTHEAMRBILMAROOFORGANISATION
IntheKandaharprovincialshuraoffice,therewasdirectcriticismandexchangeofwords,whichinfuriatedAmrbilMaroofofficials.In2000,ontheinvitationoftheOlympicsdepartment,ateamofcricketplayersfromPakistan’sChamanareavisitedKandahartoplayamatchagainsttheircompetitors.Afterthematch,theAmrbilMaroofministerwenttothegroundandpunishedafewguestplayersfortheirWesternhairstyleandshavedbeards.Itwasdisgracefulandtactlessthatpeopleinvitedbyonedepartmentweredisgracedbyanother.Itookthisissueveryseriouslyandwassupportedbyafewpeople,butafewimportantpeopleandAmrbilMaroofofficialsdefendedthisact.Itwasouropinionthatthiscomplaint,aswellasothercomplaintsaboutAmrbilMaroof,hadtobediscusseddirectlywithMullahOmar.
Ipreparedmyselfforthis.TheeducationheadMawlawiNekMuhammad,theheadoftheKandaharjihadmadrassa,andacommanderfromthenorthernfrontlinealsojoinedme.Afternoonprayers,wewenttoMullahOmar.QariFaizMuhammadbeganthediscussionandsaidthattherearemanycomplaintsabout
AmrbilMaroofanditshouldbecontrolled.QariFaizMuhammadwasveryclosetoMullahOmar.ButMullahOmarthoughtthatthesewerenothiswordssohesarcasticallysaid,‘youcareabouteveryoneandyouinterfereineverything.’MawlawiNekMuhammad,whowashighlyeducatedinreligiousstudies,verycarelesslysaidtoMullahOmarthatourpublicisintrouble,pressurisingthemfromeveryangleisagainstcommonwisdom.MullahOmardidnotlikethisopenoppositionandanswered:MawlawiSahib!Thesepeoplewhohavegoneastraydonotunderstandverbalorreligiousorders;withoutgovernmentmonitoringandaforcefulinvitationtowardsgooditisimpossible.
MawlawiNekMuhammadpresentedmorereasons,butapersoncalledMullahRasoolinterruptedrepeatedlywhilehetalked.MullahRasoolwasfamousamongfriendsasLandiSalam(ShortSalam).HewasthebrotherofMullahGhazi,whowaspartofagroupofMullahOmar’soldfriends.ThisgroupwasknownasfriendsofMullahOmar.Afewpeoplefromthisgroupweredignifiedandwise,butafewlikeMuhammadRasoolnegativelyusedtheirclosenesstoMullahOmarandinterferedinmatterswhichtheyneitherunderstoodnorhadanyrighttointerfere.
AfterMawlawiNekMuhammad,IbeganadiscussionwithstatementsthatwereanimplicitprotestagainsttheinterferenceofMuhammadRasool.IsaidtoMullahOmar:Weonlycametoyoubecausewehopeyouwilllistentousandyouaretheonlyhopetosolvethisproblem.Heunderstoodfrommyopeningsentences,andMullahRasoolalsostoppedinterfering.TherewasalongdiscussionandIprovideddetailsofafewactivitiesofAmrbilMaroofanditsnegativeimpact.Theseincidentswerefacedbypeopleindifferentcities.
MybestrecommendationtoreformthisorganisationwasthatfirstameetingofIslamicScholars,includingSupremeCourtscholars,shouldinvestigatethepunishmentthisdepartmentgivestopeopleaccordingtoShariarules.Secondly,thepersonnelofthisorganisationshouldbetrained.Andthirdly,theyshouldalsofocusonpreachingmethodologyaswell.Theuseofsticksandpunishmentsshouldbelimited.Myfriendswereofthesameopinion.
MullahOmarpromisedtoinvestigatetheissuesofill-treatmentofpeoplebuthedidnotagreetothefirstrecommendation.HisreasonwasthattheheadofAmr
bilMaroofisanIslamicscholarandheshouldinvestigatethesuspiciouspunishments.Afterourlengthydiscussion,MullahOmaragreedtomakingafewchanges,likethatthelawsofAmrbilMaroofwillnotapplytoAfghanscomingfromabroadforafewmonths,andthatthisorganisationwillalsobeginpreachingandpublicationwork.
MULLAHOMARASANAUTHORITATIVEIMPLEMENTEROFTHEADMINISTRATIVESYSTEM
TheTalibanmovementfromtheoutsetisundoubtedlyassociatedwiththepersonalityofMullahMuhammadOmar,whoestablishedthemovementfromscratch.Itinitiallyhadarevolutionarytouchbutlatertransformedintoasystem.MullahOmarselectedIslamicShariaasastandardforthispath,sohewasonlyabletodothosethingsthatwerecorrectlyintroducedtohimbyIslamicscholarsorShariaexperts.MullahOmarwasnotafull-fledgedIslamicscholar,andhedependedontherecommendationsofIslamicscholarsforlaws.
MullahOmarwasgenerallyauthoritativeonadministrativeandmilitaryissues.Hewasanexpertwarleaderandheneverlosthismoraleevenduringfiercebattles.ButinadministrativeimplementationheheldafewTalibanleadersandafewunskilledTalibaninhighregard.Forexample,afterafewmonthsofMullahMuhammadRabbani,hereappointedMullahMuhammadHassanforasecondtimeasthedeputyoftheministerscouncil,andhewaslookingafterallthemattersafterthedeathofMullahRabbani.MullahOmardecidedthatMawlawiAbdulKabirwouldbefirstdeputywhileMullahHassanwillbesecond.IreceivedthisnotificationletterinthesamemannerandIwasreadytomakeanannouncement.ButIwasonmywaytotheofficewhen–becauseofrecommendationsandincreasedpressurefromKabulandKandaharonMullahOmar–bothwereannouncedasequal.
Similarly,oncethesecurityconditionsinKabuldeteriorated,MullahOmarappointedafamouscommanderSaifur-RahmanMansoorastheKabulpolicechief,becausehewasanactiveandrighteousman,andhisfriendswerecommittedpeopleandreligiousstudents.Butafewpeoplewereenviousofhisfamily,andtheypressurisedMullahOmar,resultinginathirdpersonbeingappointedpolicechief.
Ontheotherhand,MullahOmarneverpunishedanyoneforopendisobedience
andbeinginvolvedincrimes.Whenanyonewasprovenwronghetookdecisiveaction.Iconsiderthesetwoexamplestoillustratethis:
DISARMAMENTANDTERMINATIONOFMULLAHDADULLAH:
MullahDadullahwasafamousandpowerfulTalibanmilitarycommander.AfterconqueringKabul,TalibanloststrongandmoderatecommandersincludingMullahBurjan,MullahMasharandMullahMuhammad.MullahFazalandMullahDadullahwerethenfamouswarcommandersinthenorthofAfghanistan.Eventhoughtherewereotherwell-knownandstrongmilitarycommanderslikeMullahNaeem,MullahAbdulRazzaqNafiz,MullahBaradar,MullahObaidullah,AmirKhanHaqqani,MawlawiJalaluddinHaqqaniandMullahSaifur-RahmanMansoor,thesetwoweremorefamous.Theyreceivedverylittlereligiouseducationbutwereverystrongatbattle.TheirmilitantsincludedmorepeoplefromtheirrespectiveareasalongwiththeTaliban.
MullahDadullahAkhundwasinuredtowarafterthemartyrdomofhisfriendsandcontinuousfighting.Thisledhimtobeacareless,proudandhardheartedcommander.Hewasknownasastrong,victoriousmilitaryleader,andhispresenceinTalibanrankswasobviouslyforhisfeats,andsoheconsideredhimselftobetheonlywarvictor.
MullahOmarreceivedcomplaintsseveraltimesaboutMullahDadullah’sdisobedienceandwaywardness.HewasaccusedofnotfollowingtherulesoftheTalibanmovementandbeingrelentless.Inthespringof1998,hehadpubliclybeatenupadistrictgovernorofKabulprovince.MullahOmarimmediatelyorderedtheDefenceMinistrytodisarmMullahDadullahwithinafewhours.
Thislookedimpossible,buttheDefenceMinisterMullahObaidullahvisitedthewarfrontlinetoseeMullahDadullah.Hewassittingonahilltopandcommandingthebattle.MullahObaidullahsimplysaidtohim:Myfriend,Iknowyourcourage,jihad,andeverything.MullahOmarhasorderedmetodisarmyou.Youhaveverylittletime,yourmenshouldhandovertheirweaponsandyoushouldgobacktoKandahar.ThisisMullahOmar’sorder.
Afterthinkingitthroughbriefly,heinstructedhismilitantstohandoveralltheweaponsandvehiclestotheDefenceMinistryaccordingtoMullahOmar’sorder.
order.
Withinanhour,hismilitantsweredisarmedandhundredsofvehiclesweretakenintocustody.MullahDadullahalsohandedoverhispersonalhandgun.
Aftersixmonths,adelegationofIslamicscholarsledbytheTalibanSeniorMuftiMawlawiAbdulAliDeobandivisitedMullahOmarandrequestedforMullahDadullah’sforgiveness.MullahOmarconditionallyacceptedtheirrequestandforgaveMullahDadullahontheconditionthathewouldneverbeinvolvedinsuchactivitiesinthefuture.
MullahOmaroftentoldhiscommandersthatanyonewhohasinsolenceandprideisnotneededbyIslam.Thereforewealsodonotneedthejihadandcourageofinsolentandproudpeople.
ANNULLINGHONORARYRANKSANDTITLESBYDECREE:
DuringtheTalibanregime,afewpeopletriedtoillegallytakehonoraryacademicandmilitarytitlesfromKabulUniversity.TheybroughtevidencefromthecommunistandRabbaniregimes,showingthatSulaimanLaeqreceivedanhonoraryacademictitle,andafewothersweregiventitlesofprofessorsandgenerals.MullahOmarwasunawareoftheseissuesandsignedoffonmanyeducationaltitledocuments.EventheheadoftheOlympicCommittee,AbdulShakoorMutma’in,aPaghmanresidentwhohadreceivedmedalsinafewgames,alsotriedtogetthehonorarydegreeofaprofessor.HevisitedKandaharforthisandtherewasanargumentinmyofficebetweenhimandtheEducationalAcademyheadMuhammadHussainMustas’ad.Mustas’adtoldhimthatyoucanbeasportsherobutprofessorisaneducationaltitle.Youreffortstogetthisisdefamingthesystemandeducationalinstitutions.Similarly,theheadofShariaRadioMuhammadIshaqNizamiunethicallyacquiredthetitleofprofessorfromanotherorganisation,andsometimesappendedthetitletohisnameduringthenews.
In2000,MullahOmarreceivedcomplaintsandafterconsultingwiththestaffofeducationalinstitutions,nullifiedallhonorarydegreesandtitlesthroughadecree.Afterthismovenoonetriedtotakehonorarytitlesupuntiltheend.
THETALIBANANDDEMOCRACY
TheTalibanselectedtheirleaderwiththetitleofAmirul-Mu’mineen(Leaderof
TheTalibanselectedtheirleaderwiththetitleofAmirul-Mu’mineen(Leaderofthebelievers)in1995inthepresenceofIslamicscholarsfromacrossthecountrythroughtakingallegiance.TheTalibanwantedanIslamicadministrativeandgovernmentsystem.Talibanleaders,regularTaliban,andTalibanscholarshaddifferentopinionsaboutpresent-daydemocracy.
RegularTalibanandmullahshatetheworddemocracy.MyfriendsandIneverheardanythingaboutthisfromMullahOmar.CurrentandformerTalibanleaderswhoareawareofpoliticalandinternationalissueshavemoderateopinionsaboutdemocracy.
ThecurrentpoliticalandreligiousfiguresintheTalibandonottakeanin-depthlookattheactualfoundationsofdemocracy.Theyhaveafewcoreandimportantperceptions.OneisthatanythinggoingoninweakIslamiccountriesinthenameofdemocracyiswrong.Themajorpowersinthesecountriescreateopportunitiesfortheirpersonalbenefit.Througheconomicactivities,propagandaandintelligenceeffortstheypropupthosewhoprotecttheirinterests.Eveniftheyarenotloyaltotheirowncountry,theygetaheadbyusingwealth,themedia,andthroughsecretconspiracies.Whentheyareinpowerthentheyarehonouredbycolonialistcountriesthattalkofthempositively.
Theotherthoughtaboutdemocracyisthatduringelectionseverygroupconsiderslying,makingbaselessclaimsandfalseaccusationsandshowingoffforthesakeoftheircandidate.SecularistsandIslamistsaresimilar,sohowcanoneexpectanythingpurelyIslamicfromareligiouspersonalityifheisinvolvedinlies,breakingpromises,hypocrisy,andboasting.ImplementingIslamthroughsuchapersonislikeplayingajokewithreligion.Andiftheydonotfollowthesethings,thentheiropponentsgainvictory,whoaresupportedbyanti-Islampowersthatprovidemedia,money,andpropagandasupport.
InthoseweakIslamiccountrieswherethemilitaryisapermanentforceandnotloyaltoIslamicideology,whenIslamistsgainvictorythecolonialpowersinvestinthemilitaryandmobilisethemagainstIslamists,aswehaveseeninthecaseofAlgeriaandEgypt.
Indeed,ademocraticgovernmentismuchbetterinacountrywherethereismartiallawanddictatorshipagainstIslamandMuslims.Similarly,ademocracy
martiallawanddictatorshipagainstIslamandMuslims.Similarly,ademocracyisbetterthanmonarchistgovernmentswhooppresstheMuslimnationontheadviceofcolonialpowers.
IfaMuslimleaderisloyaltohisfaith,andsovereignandkindtohisnation,itisbeneficialforIslamandMuslims.
Inbrief,theTalibandonotgiveimportancetotheselectionprocess,butprioritisetheimpactofIslamicideologyandfaithonsociety.ThereforetheTalibandonotliketoissueaverdictregardingthetypesofelections.
Chapter4:ThebeginningofconflictswiththeUnited
States,OsamabinLadenandal-Qaeda
ThefullnameofOsamabinLadenis‘OsamabinMuhammadbinAwzbinLaden’;andhebelongedtoaSaudifamilyofYemeniorigin.HereceivedaMaster’sdegreeineconomicsfromtheMalikbinAbdulAzizUniversityinJeddah.OsamabinLadenandthefamousPalestinianthinkerAbdullahAzzamhadofficesandtrainingcampsinPakistanforArabmujahideenduringthejihadagainsttheUSSRinAfghanistan.TheirleaderwasactuallyAbdullahAzzamwhowaskilledthroughaconspiracyalongwithhissonsinPeshawar.Osamawasayoungmanatthetime,andparticipatedinthejihadagainstSovietsinAfghanistan.
Atthattime,mujahideenfromabroadwereinclinedtowardsAbdulRabSayyaf,ashewieldedinfluenceoverthem.Secondly,SaudiintelligenceandothergroupsprovidingassistancealsotrustedSayyaf.
AftertheendofthejihadagainsttheUSSR,OsamabinLadenreturnedtoSaudiArabia.OnAugust2,1990,SaddamHussainattackedKuwait.SaudiaskedtheUSforsupport.AhugeUSnavalforcewasstationedneartheSaudiborder.ThiswasopposedbyafewSaudiIslamicscholarsandpeoplewhodidnotlikethewest.TheyobjectedtotheSaudigovernmentthatAmericanforcesareathreattothesovereigntyofSaudiArabia.ThesepeoplehadtherecommendationsofOsamabinLadeninmind,whohadofferedtotheSaudigovernmentthattheywouldorganiseaforceofArabmujahideentoprotectthecountry,andthatSaudiArabiashouldn’tallowUSforcesastheywouldstaythereforever.ThispredictionofOsamawaslaterproventrue.TheSaudigovernmentexpelledOsamaandimprisonedmanyofhisfriendsandIslamicscholars.
OsamabinLadenmigratedtoSudan.AstheSudaneseeconomywasweak,hebeganeconomicprojectsinthecountrythatalsoincludedtheconstructionofhighways.WhenpressurefromtheUSandSaudionSudanincreased,Osama
migratedtoAfghanistan.Inthespringof1996,afewcommandersfromNangarharvisitedSudantoparticipateinaconference.ThisincludedUstadSayyaf,CommanderSaazNoor,HizbcommanderFazalHaqMujahid,andthecommanderofMawlawiKhalisEngineerMahmood,andSifatullahQait.
TheymetwithOsamabinLadeninSudan.OnbehalfofSayyaf,SaazNoorinvitedhimtoAfghanistanincasehewasexpelledfromSudan.Lateron,withtheconsensusandinstructionsofSayyafandRabbani,anaeroplanereturningfromIndiawassenttoSudan.ThisplanebroughtOsamabinLadenandhisfriendsandfamilytoJalalabad.Sayyaf’scommanderSaazNoorwelcomedthemattheairport,butMawlawiKhalis’scommanderswerelaterresponsibleforsupportandprotection.
ThenewsinOsama’sclosecircleswasthatSayyafsentamessagetoOsamathattheAmericanshaveaskedusforyourarrestormurder.Wewillnotdothis,butforthisyouhavetogiveusahugeamounttoprotectyouandtoconvinceourcounterpartsinthegovernment.OsamarepliedthatIamnotthesameoldOsama,myhandsareemptyandIamnowapoorimmigrant.Icannotpaysuchahugeamount.WhenhesawthestrongreactionfromRabbaniandSayyaf,hesaid‘Iwilltry,justgivemetime’forthesakeofhisprotection.
Atthattime,therewereafewothersignsthattheCIAwastryingtogetclosetoOsamathroughanothercountryortheRabbaniregimetoeithercapturehimaliveorkillhim.ThereforeafewcommandersofMawlawiKhalis,likeEngineerMahmoodandMu’alimAwalGul,focusedparticularlyonhisprotectionandthelocationofhisresidencewaskeptasecret.AfewmonthsafterOsama’sarrival,theTalibancapturedNangarharandtheplansforhisarrestormurderfellthrough.
AftercapturingNangarharafewTalibancommandersmetwithOsamaandassuredhimthathewouldnotfaceanyissuesfromthem.PriortothisafewpeoplehadtriedtoscareOsamaofftheTaliban.AHizbcommanderintroducedtheTalibanastheAmericans’specialpeople,andthiswaswhyOsamawasinitiallysuspiciousoftheTaliban.
TheTalibandidnotrequiredetailedinformationaboutOsama.ItwasenoughforthemthathewasanexpatArab,aformermujahidagainsttheSoviets.Osama
themthathewasanexpatArab,aformermujahidagainsttheSoviets.OsamaneverenteredKandaharoranyadjoiningareasfromwheretheTalibanmovementbegan.TherewereArabmujahideeninKandaharimujahideengroupsduringthejihad.Kandahariswerefamiliarwiththeirbraveryandcourageinwar,andsotheylikedthemandhadareligiousaffinitywiththem.Ontheotherhand,thejihadicommandersofMawlawiKhalis’sgroupwerewiththeTalibanandplacedatkeypositions.TheywereincontactwithMawlawiKhalis,andsotheTalibanhadnonegativeperceptionsaboutOsama.
InFebruary1997,MullahOmarinvitedOsamabinLadentoKandaharandassuredhimofsupporttostayinAfghanistan.MullahOmarsaidthatyourcountryandothercountriesarenotallowingyoutolive,youareourMuslimbrotherandthisisyourcountry.ButduringthisvisitafewotherEmirateofficialsconvincedhimnottosayanythingagainstSaudiArabiathatwouldangerthecountry.OsamabinLadenapparentlyagreedtothis.AtthattimetheconflictbetweentheUSandOsamabinLadenwassocasualthatnooneintheTalibanthoughtthiswouldleadtoabigconflictandenmity.
AfewdaysafterOsamabinLadenreturnedtoNangarhar,hesharedhissecurityissueswiththeTalibanwhichwereconveyedtoMullahOmar.HethoughtitwaspossiblethatundertheguiseoffriendshipsomeonecouldhurtOsamabinLadeninJalalabadandthiswillbeasourceofshamefortheTaliban.Therefore,heinvitedhimtoKandaharandofferedforhimtoliveundertheobservationofafewelders.OsamabinLadenandhisfriendswerehappyandencouragedbythisdecision,andinthebeginningofMarch,heandhisclosefriendsandtheirfamiliesmigratedtoapeacefulareainKandahar.
OnMarch22,theIndependentnewspaperinLondonpublishedaninterviewwithOsamabinLadeninwhichhethreatenedSaudiArabiaandtheUnitedStates.ThisinterviewwasconductedinJalalabadpriortohismovetoKandahar.
MullahOmarinvitedOsamabinLadenonMarch25,andtoldhimthatwearefacingalotofproblems.AconflictwithSaudiArabiaisveryhardforus;donotupsetSaudiArabiajustbyissuingthreatsasthisisnotbeneficialforyou.Youshouldn’tsayanythingmoreagainstSaudiArabia.OsamabinLadenapparentlyagreedtothisagain.HewasnotaskedtostopagitatingagainsttheUnitedStatesasatthattimehehadnocapacitytotakeanypracticalstepagainsttheUS,and
asatthattimehehadnocapacitytotakeanypracticalstepagainsttheUS,andnooneintheTalibanthoughtwhatOsamabinLadencoulddoinathirdcountryagainstanyone.
OnMarch26,theEmirateofficein-chargeMawlawiWakeelAhmadMutawakkilgaveaninterviewtotheBBCaboutOsamabinLaden.Thekeypointsofthisinterviewwere:
WetoldOsamanottouseoursoilagainstanyoneandtonotspeakoutagainstSaudiArabia.SaddamHusseinisnolongerathreattoSaudiArabiasoUSforcesshouldleavethecountry.
OsamabinLadenwasthenallowedtochangehislocation,andincreasethenumberoftrustedarmedpersonnelforprotection.AfeweldersincludingMullahAbdulJalilwereappointedasliaisons.
UntilthatMay,Pakistan,UAEandSaudiArabiaofficiallyrecognisedtheTalibangovernment.SaudiArabiawasrequestingtheTalibantostopOsama’sactivitiesagainstSaudiArabiaandtheyweresatisfiedafterTalibanassurances.Theissuesincreasedgradually.Ononehand,theUSpressurisedSauditomotivatetheTalibanagainstOsama,andontheotherhand,theSaudigovernmentdiscoveredafewactivitiesofOsamabinLadenagainstSaudiArabia.
OsamabinLadenhadsentthreatstomembersoftheSaudiroyalfamilythroughasatellitephone,andSaudiArabiaofficiallycomplainedthroughdiplomaticandothersources.MembersoftheTalibanMinisters’CouncilandafewkeyTalibanofficialscriticisedOsamabinLadenbecauseofthisact,buthewasstillnottakenseriously.
InFebruary1998,OsamasentmessagestothemediacontainingharshwordsagainstAmerica.Afterthis,aspecialUSrepresentativeRichardsonvisitedKabulandhadlengthydiscussionswiththeheadoftheMinisters’CouncilMullahMuhammadRabbaniandotherTalibanofficials.RichardsonpresentedtheissueofOsamaassecondary,andprioritisedtheactualissuesofpeacetalksbetweenTalibananditsopponents,andofaunitygovernment.AttheendhetoldMullahRabbanithatOsamaisnotbeneficialforbothofus,soexpelhimfromyourcountry.
fromyourcountry.
InthemeantimetherewereafewsignsthattheCIAwastryingtokillOsamathroughAfghanagents,buttherewasn’tstrongintelligencetoidentifythegroup.
OnMay26,Osamaandhisfriends,withthesupportofformercommandersandafewTalibanleaders,arrangedasecretmeetingwiththemediainKhost.RepresentativesofCNNandotherinternationalmediaoutletswereinvited.MullahOmarwasnotinformedabouttheevent.Therewasastrongglobalreactionagainstthis.TalibanleadersgotangrybutOsamabraggedthatMullahOmarhadstoppedhimfromspeakingoutagainstSaudiArabia,butnotAmerica.
AsarepresentativeoftheAfghangovernment,MawlawiWakeelAhmadMutawakkiltoldthemediathatMullahOmarwasnotawareofthismeeting,andtheAfghangovernmentdoesnotagreewithOsama’scomments,andthathewouldnotbeallowedtoholdsuchmeetingsinthefuture.
TalibanleadersrecommendedcontrollingOsamasothathewouldnotbeinvolvedinpoliticalandmediaactivitiesinthefuture,andthathewouldalsonottalkwithlocalsorforeignerswithouttheTaliban’spermission.ThisissuesparkednewdiscussionsamongtheTaliban.WhileregularTalibanstronglysupportedOsama,Talibanofficialswereagainsthisactivitieseventhoughtheylikedhim.EveryonesaidthatweshouldrespecthimasaMuslimrefugee,butheshouldn’tthreatentheworldfromourlandbecausewearen’tstrongenough.WeareonlycapabletocontrolourcountryandofIslamicrule.
InJunetheSaudiintelligencechiefTurkial-FaisalvisitedKandahar,anddiscussedtheissueofOsamabinLaden.TalibanofficialstoldhimthatIslamicscholarswillbeinvitedfortheresolutionofthisissueasperSharia.AjointcommissionofSaudiandAfghanIslamicscholarswouldholddiscussions.Butthiswasnotimplemented.
OsamacontinuedtothreatenAmericanstoscarethem,buttheTalibanclearlytoldOsamathathecouldonlydoactivitiesthattheyapprovedintheirland.
Turkial-Faisalofferedmillionsofdollarsinsupportduringhisvisit,buttheEmiratedeclareditawrongandshamefuloffertoexpelOsamafromAfghanistaninexchangeforthissupport.Thisprovesthisideaincorrectthatthe
Afghanistaninexchangeforthissupport.ThisprovesthisideaincorrectthattheTalibanprotectedhimashefinanciallysupportedthem.AtthetimethatOsamajoinedTalibanhewasnotrichenoughtosupporttheTalibanmovementorgovernment.TherewasatimewhenOsama’sfinancialsourceswerefacingacrisisandtheAfghangovernmentprovidedfuelforalimitednumberofal-Qaedavehicles.IamawitnesstoafewdocumentsthatmentionedthatacertainamountoffuelwasissuedtoArabmujahideen.
CRUISEMISSILEATTACKONAFGHANISTAN,AUGUST1998
OnAugust7,1998,USembassiesinKenyaandTanzaniawerehitbybombblasts.Wereadnewsofthisafteraweek.Itdidn’tseemimportanttous,nordidwethinkofOsamabinLadeninthisregard.Theleadershipwasverybusyonconqueringthenorthernareas,andonedayaftertheseblastsweconqueredthecapitalofBalkhprovincewhichwasDostum’slaststronghold.TheUShadstillnotpointedtoOsamabinLadenandhisfriendsfortheseincidents,nordidtheyshareanyevidenceornewswiththeAfghangovernment.
Lessthantwoweekslater,at10pmonAugust20,theZarawaycampofKhostcameunderaUSmissileattack.OsamabinLadenwasn’tthere,andnorwasasingleArab.AfewPakistaniswhohadbeenlivingtheresincethejihadagainsttheUSSRwerekilled.Afewmissilesmissedtheirtargets:onehitMarufdistrictofKandaharandafewhitPakistanisoil.TheMarufmissiledidn’tcauseablastandwastransferredtotheKandahararmsdepot.
TenmissileshitamedicinefactoryinthecapitalofSudanwhichtheAmericansclaimedtobeafactorytomanufacturechemicals.Butthisisstillnotproven–likeSaddam’snuclearweapons.EventherecommendationoftheSudanesegovernmentforaninternationaldelegationtoinvestigatethefactoryandseewhetheritwasachemicalormedicinemanufacturingfactorywasnotacceptedbytheSecurityCouncil.
TheKhostattacksundoubtedlyhadnoconnectiontotheKenyaandTanzaniaattacksbutwereplannedmonthsbefore.TheUSofficiallyblamedOsamabinLadenforinvolvementintheseattackstwomonthsaftertheNovemberincident.
OnonehandtheseattacksshowedtheseriousnessoftheUnitedStates,andontheotherhanditcreatedhatredfortheUSamongtheTaliban,asthisattackwasamessagetotheTalibanthattheUSisourdirectenemy.Thisattack
amessagetotheTalibanthattheUSisourdirectenemy.ThisattackcomplicatedthepositivemovesaboutOsamabinLaden,andtheTalibandeclaredtheUnitedStates’enemiestobefriends.ThiscreatedanimageoftheUSintheirmindsasaninvader.Ononehand,theAmericansprovokedtheTalibanenemies,andontheotherhandtherelationshipwithIranbecamemoretensefollowingthemurderofelevendiplomats.
TheTalibanhadaharshreaction,andcalleditanarrogantattackonthecountry.StrongprotestswereheldinKandahar,Nangarhar,Kabul,Mazarandothercities.TheTalibanMinistryofForeignAffairsaskedtheUSforevidenceofOsamabinLaden’sinvolvementintheKenyaandTanzaniaattacks.MullahOmar’spointofviewbecamemorerigidatthattime,andheshowedaseriousreactionagainsttheUSmilitaryattackandpressure.ThiswasoneofthereasonsthatameetinginSeptemberwithTurkial-Faisalwasmarkedbytension.
SAUDIREPRESENTATIVETURKIAL-FAISAL’SMEETINGWITHMULLAHOMARINKANDAHAR,SEPTEMBER1998
InSeptember1998,theSaudiAmbassadorforAfghanistanSalmanalOmariwholivedinIslamabadinformedourembassyinIslamabadthatahigh-levelSaudiofficial’sdelegationwillvisitKandahar.Theysharedthedateofthevisit,andonSeptember18,adaybeforethedelegation’sarrival,SalmanalOmaricametoKandahar.TheDeputyMinisterofForeignAffairsMullahAbdulJalilandotherofficialswerehostsattheKandaharguesthouse.Heinstalledadishlikeasatelliteantennaintheguesthousecompoundforspecialtelephoniccommunication.
At9amonSeptember19,adelegationledbySaudiintelligencechiefPrinceTurkial-FaisallandedinaspecialaeroplaneatKandaharairport.Itissaidthattheyalsohadacagefortransportingacriminal.
AlargeroomattheKandaharGovernor’sHousewasfurnishedforthemwithcarpets,mattressesandpillows.Thisroomalsohadapathtowardstheoldleadershiproom.Ithadtworoomstothesideforspecialmeetingsandtopreparefood.Iwasbusyinthefoodpreparationroomreadyingfoodandfreshfruits.Theguestsarrived;thefoodwasready,andtheteaandfreshfruitwereinplace.TheAmirul-Mu’mineenwasalsotheretowelcometheguests.IwasinahurrysothewelcomingtalkscouldbetakenoverbyactualdiscussionsandIcould
sothewelcomingtalkscouldbetakenoverbyactualdiscussionsandIcouldfreemyself.
AthirddelegationfromPakistanheadedbyTasneemRanaalsoarrived.InKandahar,theformerPakistanconsulMajorGultranslatedMullahOmar’sstatementstothedelegationinEnglishandtheirstatementstoMullahOmarinPashto.FiveminuteshadnotevenelapsedwhenMullahOmarraisedhisvoice.Ilookedinside.Wewerefamiliarwithhim,andIunderstoodthatsomethingwaswrong.MullahOmarangrilysaidtoMajorGulthatyoushouldtranslatewordforwordasIspeakAtthattimeMajorGulwasundertheinfluenceandconfused.
MullahOmartoldoneTalibofficialwhowasfamiliarwithEnglishtoinformhimifMajorGultranslatedsomethingincorrectlyorinanincompleteway.IonlyheardMullahSahibsayingthatyouaretherulersofIslamicworldandyourancestorshavegivenlessonsofIslamichonouranddignitytothewholeworld.ButtodayyouarecapturinganoppressedMuslimforthehappinessofinfidels.TheincidentoccurredinAfrica,heisanenemyofAmerica,andwhatotherrightdoyouhaveinthis?
Themeetingendedunhappily.Turkial-Faisalangrilylefttheroom.MullahOmaralsolefttheroomandwenttowardstheofficewithguards.Accordingtoeyewitnessstatements,includingthatofMullahOmar’sofficeemployeesandtheDeputyMinisterofForeignAffairsMullahAbdulJalil,thesummaryofthediscussionwasasfollows:
Whenthemeetingstarted,MullahOmarwarmlywelcomedthedelegation.Turkial-Faisalinitiatedthediscussioninasharptone,andsaidtoMullahOmarthatwecamesothatyoufulfilyourpromiseandhandoverourcriminaltouswithhishandstied.Wewilltakehimwithusintheaeroplane.Hissharpaccentwascombinedwithtwomajormistakes–first,thathedidn’toffercondolencesorgiveanygoodorfriendlywishesforthemovement,andthesecondmistakeormisunderstandingwasthatMullahSahibneverpromisedthemanythinglikethis.TherewasahatredagainstthelieandaviolationofpromiseinMullahOmar’smood.
Atthattime,onesidelied,andontheothersideMullahOmarwasunjustly
blamedforbackingoutofhispromise.Thirdly,MullahOmarwasnotmentallypreparedforanythingagainstSheikhOsamabinLaden.Heneverthoughtofsuchademandfromthedelegation.Hethensuddenlygrewseriousandgaveasharpanswertoasharpquestion,andalsotauntedTurkial-Faisal.MullahOmar’swordswere–‘Firstly,don’tmakemeouttobealiar,IneverpromisedsuchnorhaveIgivenpermissiontoanyonewhorepresentsmetomakesuchpromises.Secondly,wehavepromisedyouajointsessionofIslamicscholarstothinkoverthisissuebutweneverpromisedtohandoverSheikhOsamabinLaden.YouaretherulersoftheIslamiccapital;oppressedMuslimsexpecthelpandcondolencesfromyou.ButconverselyyouarehandingMuslimsovertotheenemiesandyoucamehereontheirorders.TheincidenthappenedinAfrica,AmericahasclaimedOsamabinLaden,whatrightdoyouhaveinthis?
PriortothistheEmiratedelegationhadassuredtheSaudigovernmentthatOsamabinLadenwouldnotdoanythingagainstSaudiArabiaandtheymighthaveconvincedhimtoaccepthim.MullahSahibtoldthedelegationthatyoudonothaveanyrightoverhim.
Turkial-FaisalreachedRiyadhafterafewhours.OntheseconddayanofficialletterwassenttotheAfghanEmbassythattheAfghanAmbassadorshouldleaveSaudiArabia.TheambassadorwasexpelledandthefirstsecretarytookchargeoftheJeddahconsulate.ThatdaymarkedthebeginningofthetenserelationshipbetweentheIslamicEmirateandSaudiArabia.
MULLAHOMAR’SUNINTENTIONALANGERWHILEMEETINGTURKIAL-FAISAL
Iwishtocommentonthistensemeeting.TherewasabigmisunderstandingrightfromthebeginningthatMullahOmar’srepresentativesunnecessarilyexaggeratedinsatisfyingtheSaudigovernmentregardingMullahOmar.MullahOmar’sstanceonOsamawasintroducedasverymalleableandflexible,andtheSaudirulersthoughtthiswasatypeofpromiseandthatMullahOmarwouldnotrejecttheirofferbymakingarevolutionarydecision.Thisexpectationencouragedthemtobelieveinapositiveresponsetotheiroffer.
Secondly,aftertheconquestofMazar(Balkh),thedeathofIraniandiplomatshadcausedIrantothreatentoattackAfghanistan.Afewdayspriortothismeeting,theTalibanhadfoundthedeadbodiesofIraniandiplomats,andIran
hadastrongreaction.TheharshwordsofTurkial-FaisalatthissensitivetimewasakintotorturingMullahOmar.ItappearedthatTurkial-Faisalwastakingundueadvantageofthecurrentsituation,andsoMullahOmarrespondedtohiminanaggressivemanner.
Secondly,Turkial-FaisalusedanauthoritativetoneduringthediscussionwithMullahOmarandaddressedhimasasubordinate.ThismightnotbenewforTurkial-Faisal,astheyusedthesamelanguagefortheleadersofpoorIslamiccountrieslikeuswhoneededfinancialsupportfromSaudiArabia.ButMullahOmarwascompletelydifferent,andwisepeopleshouldhaveusedpolitelanguagewithhim.
TheforeignandinteriorministersofPakistan,theforeignministerofUzbekistan,UNRepresentativeLakhdarBrahimiandtheadvisoranddeputypresidentofTurkmenistanmeritmentionhereaspeoplewhousedanormaltonewithMullahOmar.MullahOmarwasnotaproudorstubbornperson.Hewasveryhumblebutheneveracceptedunjustifiedstubbornnessorpride.
MULLAHOMAR’SVIEWOFSAUDIISLAMICSCHOLARS
MullahOmarrespectedSaudipeople,law,andIslamicscholars.InRamadanhesometimeslistenedtothereligiousprogrammesofSaudiradio.ItwashissuggestionthattheSaudideclarationshouldbefollowedinRamadanorEidastheymakearrangementsandtherelevantorganisationsarecontrolledbyIslamicscholars.
HebelievedthatSaudirulersareveryseriousinadministeringandprotectingthetwoholysitesorharamain.Theyareorganisingactivitiesverywell,andfarbetterthananyoneelse.TheTalibanwereagainsteverykindofanarchyinSaudiArabia.TheTalibanusedthetitle‘ServantofHaramain’fortheSaudikinginofficialradiotransmissions.However,afewTalibanwhowereclosetoal-QaedasometimesopposedthisofficialTalibanpolicy.
MullahOmarwasagainsteveryofficialstatementthatwasagainstSaudiArabia,butwhentheissuesofOsamaandTurkial-Faisalwerehighlightedbythemedia,theTalibansometimesadoptedastanceagainstSaudiArabiaindefencewhichthencreatedissuesfortheTaliban.AllTalibanofficialswantednormalrelationswithSaudiArabiabuttheissueofOsamabinLadenwashighlysensitive,andso
withSaudiArabiabuttheissueofOsamabinLadenwashighlysensitive,andsoitwascompletelyimpossibleatthattime.
MullahOmarwantedpositiverelationswithQatar,Sudan,Turkmenistan,Turkey,KyrgyzstanandChina.HealsowantedarelationshipwithLibya.EventhoughQaddafiwasagainsttheTalibansystem,theyhadthesamestanceaboutthewesternworld.
OurofficialsneveropposedhavingagoodrelationshipwithIran,andwehadaverycarefulpolicy.ButtheTalibanweresuspiciousofIran’sfriendshipefforts.TalibanleadersclosetoMullahOmarsawitwasimportanttohavearelationshipwithIran,andMullahOmarwasnotagainstthisingeneral.
IrememberwhenelevenIranianpersonneloftheIranianconsulatewerekilledduringthefallofMazar,MullahOmarwasveryangryduringtheinvestigation.OnedayhesaidviaradiothatifIfindthosewhoareinvolvedinthisincident,Iwillexecutethemwithoutlegalproceedings.ItwasthefirsttimethatIhadheardsuchastatementfromMullahOmar,andIunderstoodthatdaythatthiswasn’tplannedbytheTaliban.
TherelationshipswithPakistanandtheUAEwerealifelineforusasthecountriesweretheonlyavenuesforustocommunicatewiththeworld.
SheikhZayed’sfamilywasunderinternationalpressure,andhewasloyaltodomesticcommitmentsbuthestillhadsympathiesfortheTalibanuntiltheend.MullahOmarwasalsosecretlysympathetictothem.Giventheeconomicbans,UAEwastheonlycountrywecouldhaveusedforairtransport.
THETRIALOFBINLADENINASHARIACOURT
OnNovember4,theUSgovernmentblamedOsamabinLadenand248ofhisfriendsfortheirinvolvementinthebombattacksinAfricathatAugust.Arewardoffivemilliondollarswasannouncedfortheircaptureordeath.ItwasastonishingthattheUSblamedOsamabinLadenforthisactinNovemberandwantedtopunishhimtwomonthsearlierwhentheytriedtokillhiminthemissileattacksthathesurvived.CIAdocumentslatershoweditwasworkingonaplantokillhimattheendof1996inJalalabadandatthebeginningof1997inKandahar.
TheTalibanrequestedAmericanofficialsforclear-cutevidenceofOsamabinLaden’sinvolvementintheincidentsinAfrica.Underinstructionsfromtheleadership,wetoldthemediathathandingOsamabinLadenoverforacaseisuselessastheUSwastryingtokillhimevenbeforetheseincidents.IfwehandhimovertoSaudiArabiaoranyothercountry,theAmericanswillundoubtedlycapturehimandbeginhistrialasamatterofpoliticalpolicy.TheonlywayisforhistrialinacourtinAfghanistanthatwillmakeadecisionwithoutanyinterferenceandbasedonevidence.
OntheordersofMullahOmar,theAfghanistanSupremeCourtannouncedaspecialcourtfor20daysandrequestedforevidenceagainsttheaccused.ButtheUSdidn’tgiveanyimportancetoourannouncement.Instead,theyspedupeffortstokillbinLaden.Inthelastfewdaysofthetrial,theUSEmbassyinIslamabadsentavideocassetteasproofofOsamabinLaden’sinvolvementintheattacks.
Atthattime,otherthantheForeignAffairsMinistry,nootherTalibanofficewaspermittedatelevisionorVCR.TheonlyplacetowatchthisvideocassetteinKandaharwastheRadioandTelevisionbuilding.Mutawakkilcameintheeveningwiththecassettetothebuilding.MyinteresttowatchthisproofagainstbinLadenalsoincreased.Wecalledthetechnicalmanagerandaskedhimtoopenthelockedtelevisionroomtowatchonevideo.Hewassurprisedandsmiled,wonderingwhatfilmwilltheywatchaloneinadarkroom.
ThetechnicalmanagerduringTalibanrulewasapious,beardedperson.Itwasthefirsttimehehadheardfromusthatafilmwillbeseeninthedark.Hetooktimetofindthekeysandlatercameholdingabunchofrustedkeysashesearchedforthespecificone.Adustyroomwasopenedandwe–twoorthreefriends–satonchairs.NoneofusknewhowtooperatetheVCRandweaskedthemanagertosetitup.Mutawakkilgavethecassettetothetechnicalmanager.ThefilmshowedhousesofOsamabinLaden’sfriendsinSudan,thentherewerechildrenplayinginanopenspace.Aspertheirpressreleasesthatwereheardbyeveryonetherewasnoothernews,butwewatchedthevideountiltheendtogetmoreinformation.ThiswasanoldCNNreportaboutOsamabinLadenandhisfriends.Acopyofthiswassenttousasevidence.AttheendofthevideoMutawakkilangrilystoodupandsaidtheyarejokingwithus.
Mutawakkilangrilystoodupandsaidtheyarejokingwithus.
ThenextdayhetoldthemediathatUSofficialshadsentusacopyofaCNNreportasevidencethathasnolinktotheAfricaincidents.Thisvideohasnorelationtotheincident,sothereisnoevidencefortheUSclaim.ThetimeforOsama’strialalsoended.
EVENIFOSAMABINLADENLEAVESAFGHANISTAN,WEWILLNOTLEAVETHETALIBAN(USA)
WiththeFebruary1999attacksonNairobiandDaresSalaamastheirbasis,theUSrepeatedaccusationsandincreasedthebountymoneyonOsamabinLaden,andpressurisedAfghanistanfromeveryangle.AtthattimeOsamabinLadenandhisfriendshadplannedtogivethemselvesuporleaveAfghanistan.TheysharedtheirideawithMullahOmarthroughTayyabAgha,andhesaidhowwouldweknowiftheyreachedsafely.HeaskedagroupofspecialguardstoaccompanyOsamabinLadentotheirdestinationandbringbackinformationoftheirsafearrival.Ifitwasnotpossibletomoveforward,theguardswouldprotectthemduringtheirreturn.
SheikhOsamabinLadendisappearedalongwithhisfriends.Thenewsreachedthemedia,andtheTalibanalsoconfirmedthisandsaidtheirwhereaboutsareunknown.AtthattimeafewselfishpeoplespreadthenewsthattheTalibanhadmadeadealaboutOsamabinLadenorthattheyhadkilledhimandhisfriends.OnFebruary14,theBBCinterviewedMullahOmaraboutthis.Theinterview’smainpointswere:
Wedon’tknowthelocationofOsamabinLaden.Wegavehimtensecurityguardsforprotection,wetoldthemthatifOsamabinLadenwantstoleaveAfghanistan,sendhimoffinagoodmanner.NowwedonotunderstandwhetherheisinAfghanistanorhasdepartedforanothercountry.Wecannotforcehimtoleaveorhandhimselfovertoanyone.
WhenthemediaspreadtheconvincingnewsofOsamabinLaden’sdeparturefromAfghanistan,andtheworldalsothoughthehasleftAfghanistan,theUSForeignAffairsspokespersonJamesRobbinsaidinanofficialstatement:ifOsamabinLadenleavesAfghanistan,therewillbenochangeinourstrategyregardingtheTaliban.
regardingtheTaliban.
OnFebruary14,Washington’sofficialstatementgavetheTalibananewsignthattheUSwouldnotleavethemevenafterOsamabinLaden.UntilnowOsamabinLadenwasconsideredtheonlyUStarget.NowtheTalibanthoughtthattheirentiresystemisatargetoftheUS.WhatevertheUSaimwaswiththisofficialstatement,itsilencedthoseTalibanleaderswhothoughtthatOsamabinLadenwasthemainreasonfortheconflictbetweentheUSandtheTaliban.AnewmentalitydevelopedthatAmericaistherealenemyoftheIslamicgovernmentandsovereignty.
Itstrengthenedal-Qaeda’spreachingamongtheyouththatAmericaisaninternationalenemyofIslamandMuslims,andoneshouldneverexpectfriendshipfromthecountry.IremembersittinginabigmeetingofregularTalibanthatdaywhenalow-levelofficialtoldtheother:Haveyouheard?ByGod!Theywillnotleaveus.Weshouldn’tupsettheSheikhforthem.Whyshouldwedarkenourfacesinthisworldandinthehereafter?Itisbetterthatwealltogether(theTalibanandal-Qaeda)shouldhaveanenmityagainstAmerica.
SuchstatementsweremadethroughthemediarepeatedlythatfosteredhatedamongcommonTalibsagainstAmericaandstrengthenedal-Qaeda’spowerandpreaching.
AfterafewmonthsMullahOmarunderstoodthatOsamahadnotleftAfghanistan.MutawakkilaskedwhatweshouldsayaboutOsamabinLaden’swhereaboutstothemedia.Hesaidwecannotlieasitisnowknownthathehasnotleft.OnlysaythatheisinAfghanistanbutwedon’tknowhislocation.OnJuly7whenMutawakkilgavethesamestatement,manyviewersthoughtthatthejournalistdrewthisnewsoutofhim.
ECONOMICSANCTIONSAGAINSTAFGHANISTAN
OnJuly5,1999,theUSannouncedeconomicsanctionsagainstAfghanistan.OnOctober15,Afghanistan’sonlyairlineArianawasbarredfrominternationalflights.TheRabbani-ledalliancewelcomedeconomicsanctions,asdidIran.IndiarequestedeconomicsanctionsagainsttheTalibanaswellasPakistan.Thesesanctionsweregraduallyincreased.
OnOctober6,theUSproposedthattheUNSecurityCouncilshouldimpose
OnOctober6,theUSproposedthattheUNSecurityCouncilshouldimposesanctionsagainstAfghanistan.OnNovember14,theSecurityCouncilalsoimposedsanctionsagainsttheTaliban.
Inastatementaboutthesanctions,MullahOmarsaid:“OsamaisjustanexcusefortheUS.AsasuperpowertheUSwishestodoanythingtheywant.ThereisaPashtoproverb‘thewaterofthepowerfulflowsupwards’.Everybodyissupportingthepowerfultoday;weallunderstandthereality.TheinjusticesoftheUSareknowntotheworld.”
OnNovember4,protestswereheldinmajorcitiesincludingKabulagainstUNsanctionsonAfghanistan.TheprotestorsattackedtheUNofficeinKabulandbrokethewindows.USflagsandeffigiesofClintonwerealsoburned.
Theseprotestswereveryintenseanditwasfearedthattheymightspiraloutofcontrol.Astherewasnomediacoverage,theseprotestswerenotcovered.Aftercontinuousprotests,MullahOmaraskedtheprotestorstostopandsaid:BillClintonandhisfriendscannotfeedus,notcantheystopthesustenancethatAllahisprovidingus.Afghansshouldstoptheprotestsagainstsanctions.
UntilthesigningofsanctionsbyBillClinton,theworldwasnotawarewhetherOsamawasinAfghanistanorhadalreadyleft.AftertwodaysMutawakkilacceptedhispresence.ThequickactionofClintononthisissuealsorevealedthattheissueofOsamawasnotimportantanymore.ThisdisappointedtheTaliban,andtheissueofOsamadidn’tappeartobeanactualissuebetweentheUSandAfghanistan.
THEFIRSTANDLASTMEETINGWITHOSAMABINLADEN(ABDULHAIMUTM’AIN)
IwasaskedbyfriendsmanytimestomeetOsamabinLaden,butIdon’tunderstandwhyIdidn’thavemuchinteresteventhoughIwasnotagainsthisideologyandpointofview.Ionlymethimoncebychanceandsharedahandshakewithhim.
IsawhimonApril15,2001whenChiefMinisterMullahMuhammadRabbanipassedawayandafateha(condolencegathering)wasunderwayatMullahMuhammadOmar’shouseforguestsandofficials.PeoplewerevisitingMullahOmarforcondolence.AtnoonItookafewgueststohishouseandwasstanding
inthecourtyardwhentwovehiclesarrived.Aslim,tallmanwearingalongAfghandressandaredpatternedArabickerchiefalightedfromthevehicle,surroundedbyArabyouth.Hehadawheatycomplexion,anattractive,dignifiedface.Helookedtiredwhilewalkingandtalking.Amongtheaccompanyingfriends,ashortpersonIknewbythenameAbuHafsSagheerintroducedmetohim.
Thesheikhsmiledandhuggedme.IaccompaniedhimtoMullahOmarasahost.MullahOmarwassittinginaseparateroomwithMullahMuhammadNabiMuhammadiwhohadcomeforfateha.MullahObaidullahwasalsosittingbesidesMullahOmar.IwenttotheroomalongwithOsamabinLaden,thefriends,andhisyoungson.
MullahOmargreetedthemandashedidn’twantothergueststoentertheroomexceptSheikh,hismenandMuhammadi.Heaskedtoclosethedoor.Iclosedthedoor.TheguestsfirstjointlyofferedcondolencesandafterthatMullahOmarsaidtoMuhammadithatthepersonsittingbesidemeisMullahObaidullahAkhund,thedefenceministerandourelderfriend.
ItookthemeaningfromthisthatMullahObaidullahwastobeappointedtoMullahRabbani’sposition.MyperceptionwasnotrightforalongtimeasMullahRabbani’sofficialworkwascarriedoutbyhisdeputyMullahAbdulKabirandhewaslaterjoinedbyMullahHassanasaseconddeputy.
MullahOmarlookedtowardsSheikhOsamabinLadenandsaid:youknowhim?Inresponse,MuhammadlookedsweetlytowardshimandinPashtousedtheArabicwords‘ServantofMuslims’and‘BigMujahid’tomaketheSheikhunderstandhissympathyforhim.InreplytheSheikhsmiledandsaid‘MayAllahgiveyouareward.’
Withthismymindwenttoathree-year-oldletterthatMuhammadisenttoMullahOmarthroughhisadvisorMuhammadSaeedHashmiabouthandingoverOsamabinLaden.IunexpectedlyreadthisletterwhenHashmiwasaguestattheKandaharguesthouse.Iwenttotheroomtomeethimbuthewasinthebathroom.Therewerethreepaperslyingonthemattress.OnthefirstpageMuhammadihadwrittentoMullahOmar:theSaudigovernmentisdeartotheCreatorandHiscreatures.AnyonewhoisinAfghanistanandinvolvedin
CreatorandHiscreatures.AnyonewhoisinAfghanistanandinvolvedinactivitiesagainstSaudiArabiashouldbepunishedandhandedovertotheSaudigovernment.OnthesecondpagetherewasanArabictranslationofthatfirstpage,andonthethirdpageinArabictherewasarequesttotheSaudikingforfinancialassistancestatingthatwe(theMuhammadifamily)arefacingfinancialproblems.ItlookedliketheoriginalletterwassenttoMullahOmar’sofficeandthesewerecopiesthathewouldtakewithhimtosendtoSaudiofficials.
IlefttheroombeforeMuhammadicameoutofthebathroom.Hedidn’tknowaboutmypresencethereandthatIhadreadtheletter.AfterafewdaysItoldthisstorytomyfriendMuhammadHussainMustas’ad.HeaskedwhyIdidn’ttakethosecopieswithme.ButIwasoftheopinionthatifI’dknownthosepageswereconfidentialIwouldhaveneverreadthem,andtakingthemwouldbeexceedingmylimits.
THEGASPIPELINEFROMTURKMENISTANANDINTERNATIONALCOMPANIES
AftertheUSSR’sdefeatandwithdrawal,afewrepublicsofCentralAsiawhichwerepartoftheformerUSSRgottheirindependence.CountriesintheregionandmajorWesterncompanieswereplanningtotradewiththeCentralAsianRepublicsthroughtheIndianOceanandtoexporttheirnaturalresources,andsorightafterthedisintegrationoftheUSSRin1992theTurkmenistangasexportprojectwasintheplanningandsurveystage.TheRussiansneverwantedthisprojecttobeimplementedbyWesterncompanieswithouttheirpresence.Ontheotherhand,Iranwasagoodcandidate.
OnApril14,1992,theNajibgovernmentfellandthecountrywasdivided.ThroughRabbani’sgovernment,thegovernorsofHeratandKandaharIsmailKhanandGulAghaSherzai,PakistancontractedtoimportandexportgoodsthroughHeratandKandahartoTorghundai.Buttheseconvoysdidn’tevenreachKandaharcityowingtothedangersinthearea.Minorcommandersofthegovernorwhooperatedwithoutanycontrolrobbedtheconvoys.
Afterthecaptureofsouth-westareasbytheTaliban,theregionalcountriesweredisappointedandthistradestoppedcompletely.AfewmonthsaftertheTalibancapturedKabul,tripartitemeetingsaboutthisprojectwereheld.ProgrammesweredevelopedinTurkmenistan,Pakistan,andNorthandSouthAmericafortheproject’stechnicalandfinancialworkbuttherewasstillnowrittenagreement.
project’stechnicalandfinancialworkbuttherewasstillnowrittenagreement.AnArgentiniancompanycalledBridashadstartedafewexploratoryanddomesticexportactivitiesatthattime.
Thesatelliteandprofessionalsurveyoftheareaindicatedthepresenceofnaturalresourcesespeciallypetroleumandgasinthearea,includinginAfghanistan.Thisisthereasonthattheconflictsofmajorcountriesreachedthisarea,andtheymadequickeffortstoachievethings.
ThenewlyindependentstateofTurkmenistanwantedtouseitsnaturalresourcesindependently,freefromRussianinfluence.Itlookedforaninternationalmarketfortheseresources.RussiawantedtousetheexistingpipelinesnearDagestanandChechnyafortheTurkmenistangasroute,sothatthegasistransportedtoEuropethroughRussia,makingRussiaatransitrouteforTurkmenistangas.
Intheearly1990s,CarlosBulgheroni,theheadoftheArgentiniancompanyBridassucceededinmakinganagreementwiththeTurkmenistanPresidentNiyazovTurkmenbashifortheexplorationofoilandgasandstartedtheactivities.ButBridaswasnotfinanciallystrongenoughandsotheSaudiswereincludedaspartners.ThecompanyrequiredfinancialsupportfromtheSaudis,buttherewasstillnoagreementforthegaspipelineanddiscussionswereinprogress.TheSaudiintelligencechiefTurkial-FaisalassuredNiyazovTurkmenbashiandBridasthattheywouldusetheirinfluenceontheAfghanistanandPakistangovernmentsfortheextensionofthepipeline.PakistanandSaudiArabiabeganeffortsforthisduringthemujahideengovernment.Thecivilwarandworkconditionsdidnotmakeitpossibletoplanthepipelineextension.Attheendof1994therewasaTalibanuprisinginthesouthandtheTalibancapturedmanyareasinthenextyear.
BridashadcontactswiththeTaliban,RabbaniandDostum.MeanwhileanAmericancompanybasedinTexascalledUNOCAL(UnionOilCompanyofCalifornia)begannegotiationswithTurkmenistan.
TheheadofUNOCALMartyMillervisitedTurkmenistaninmid-1995,andmetwithPresidentNiyazovTurkmenbashiwiththehelpoftheUSEmbassyinAshkhabadandconvincedthepresidenttovoidtheagreementwithBridas.AccordingtoMiller,thisagreementwasalossforTurkmenistanasBridaswouldtake75percentoftheprofitandonly25percentwouldbepaidto
wouldtake75percentoftheprofitandonly25percentwouldbepaidtoTurkmenistan.ThisagreementwasverysimilartotheagreementthattheUShadsignedwithSaudiArabiaduringthefirsthalfofthe20thcenturyforoilexports.MilleralsoadvisedTurkmenbashithatifBridasdoesnotbackoutoftheagreement,youshouldfileacaseagainstitintheTexasNaturalResourcesConflictsCourt,thejudgesthereareourpeopleandwillmakeadecisioninyourfavour.IfBridasasksfortheirexpenses,we(UNOCAL)willmakethosepayments.
Ontheotherhand,[missingword]convincedPakistantosupportUNOCALbyofferingmoreprofitshare.Attheendof1996,whentheTalibancapturedKabul,directdiscussionswereheldwiththemaboutthistopic.TheTalibansaidthatasatransitcountrywewillsupporteveryonewhogivesourcountryagoodprofitandthatTurkmenistanandimportantcountriesagreewiththis.
OnMay4,1997,underTalibanrule,theheadofBridascametoanagreementonTurkmenistangasimportthroughAfghanistan;thata$2.5millionnaturalgaspipelinecoveringa1200kilometredistancewouldbelaidfromTurkmenistan.Buttheagreementwasnotsignedasyet.TheothercompaniescompetingwithBridasforthisprojectweretheSaudicompanyDeltaandtheAmericancompanyUNOCAL.
Aftertendays,theMay14sessionoftheEconomicandCulturalOrganisationwasheld.MembercountriesincludedTurkmenistan,Kazakhstan,Uzbekistan,Turkey,Iran,Pakistan,Kyrgyzstan,Tajikistan,AzerbaijanandAfghanistan.Duringthis,therewasadeclarationoffifteenagreed-onpoints,including:atrainandrailwaylineamongmemberstates,pavedroads,agasandoilpipelinefromAshkhabaduntilIranandPakistan,importofelectricityandtradebetweenmemberstates.
OnMay15,theAmericanmediareportedthatPakistanandTurkmenistanhavesignedagaspipelineagreementwithDeltaandUNOCAL.Accordingtotheagreement,Turkmenistanwillexport20billioncubicmetresofgastoPakistan,increasingto40billioncubicmetresby2002.TheUnitedStatesofferedtheTalibanthroughPakistantogivethegaspipelineprojecttoUNOCAL.
Competitionratchetedupbetweenothercountriesandcompanies.OnJuly22,
Competitionratchetedupbetweenothercountriesandcompanies.OnJuly22,representativesofUNOCALandDeltametwiththeNorthernAllianceinMazar-e-Shariftogaintheirsupportforthepipelineroutethroughthenorth.Theopponentshadannouncedtheirowncapitalandwarmlywelcomedtherepresentativesofthecompanies,whoweregreetedbydressedupgirlswearingmakeup.
Adaylater,ameetingwasheldbetweenrepresentativesofPakistan,AfghanistanandTurkmenistanforthegaspipelineroute.TheparticipantsincludedtheMinisterofMinesAhmedJan,Pakistan’stransportministerandTurkmenistan’sministerforoilandgas.
OnAugust28,theAfghangovernmentsaiditwouldsignanagreementwithBridassoonfortheTurkmenistangaspipelineproject.
Atthattime,MullahAhmedJanwenttoArgentina,andfromthereontoSaudiArabia.DuringameetingwithSaudiofficials,ahigh-rankingSaudiintelligenceofficialtoldhimtosigntheagreementwithBridasbecauseUNOCALwantedtodelaythework,unlikeBridas.Americaisasuperpower,andifyousignanagreementwithUNOCALitwillforceyoutoaccepteverything.Youwillnotbeanindependentpartner.HecitedSaudiArabia’sexamplethattheycouldnotdoanythingaboutoilagreementswithoutAmerica’sapproval.
TalibanleadersvisitedTurkmenistanandPakistanandheldmeetingswithforeigncompanies.ThecompetitionbetweenBridasandUNOCALwasahindrancetostartingthework.TurkmenistanwantedtoworkwithUNOCAL,asdidPakistan.Afghanistanwasunabletodoanythingwithouttheagreementofthesecountriesasitwasonlyamemberoftheprojectforthetransitroute.
MullahAhmedJansaystheSaudiofficial’sstatementthatUNOCALwantedtodelaytheworkwastrue.AccordingtoAhmedJan,UNOCALwasmoreofanintelligenceproject;ononehanditwantedTurkmenistan’snaturalroilangasresourcesunderAmerica’sinfluence,andontheotherhanditwantedtostopthepipelineextensionduringTalibanrule.SotheyremainedintheraceuntiltheyknockedBridasoutofthecompetitionandlaterclosedtheirofficesinAfghanistan.
WhenUNOCALcameforwardasthememberofaconsortium,Turkmenistan
WhenUNOCALcameforwardasthememberofaconsortium,Turkmenistansupportedthecompany.AtthattimeTurkmenistanhadwonacaseagainstBridasinTexaswithUNOCAL’ssupportandremovedBridasfromthecompetition.TurkmenistanvisasforBridasrepresentativeswereevenhaltedforsometime.
OnOctober23,1997,theMinisterofIndustryandMinesMullahAhmedJanwenttoAshkhabadbyhelicopterviatheHeratborderwithTurkmenistanandmettheTurkmenistanForeignMinisterBorisŞyhmyradow.HeinvitedtheAfghangovernmenttoworkwiththisnewconsortium;thegovernmentagreedastherewasnootheroption.
OnOctober25,Turkmenistanannouncedanagreementwiththisinternationalconsortium,whichincludedAmerica’sUNOCAL,HyundaifromSouthKorea,HondafromJapan,SaudiArabia’sDelta,anda10percentshareforRussia’sGazprom.ButtheRussiansdeniedbeingapartoftheagreement.Accordingtotheagreement,thegaspipelinewouldfirstroutethroughMultaninPakistanandthentoIndia.TheUSandPakistanalsoagreedtothisnewpact.
ThatDecember,MullahAhmedJanvisitedHouston,TexasontheinvitationoftheheadofUNOCAL.AfteralengthymeetingtheywenttoFrance,wheretheyhaddiscussionsabouttheprojectwiththeFrenchcompanyTotal.ThecompanydidnotshowanyinterestincompetingwithUNOCALandBridas.
TheagreementthatwasreadytobesignedwasverybeneficialforAfghanistan.Accordingtosourcesintheministryofminesandindustry,someoftheclausesoftheagreementwere:
Inthismajorproject,exceptingtheprofessionalstaff,allotherworkerswillbeAfghanandtherewillbejobopportunitiesfor60,000people.
Thegaspipelinewillbethepropertyoftheimplementingcompanyfor30years,andAfghanistanwouldbepaidonapercubicmetrebasisastransitfees,whichcametoapproximately$350millionayear.
Afghanistancanexportitsgasthroughthispipeline,butthispipelinewillbeAfghanistan’spropertyafter30years.
Gaswillbeprovidedtoallvillageswithina30-kilometreradiusofthepipeline,andenergygeneratingturbineswillbeinstalledwhererequiredandenergysuppliedtonearbyareas.
ApipelinefromSheberghanwillconnecttothismainpipeline,andthegasenteringthiswillenterthesub-pipelineintheKandaharlimitstobesuppliedtoothercities.
Afghanistanwillhelpinrehabilitatingandcleaningpetroleumandoilwells.TheSheberghangasrefinerywillberepairedandtensofsimilarpublicwelfareprojectswillbeinitiated.
BeforesigningtheagreementwithAfghanistan,UNOCALopenedofficesinKandaharandKabulinearly1998andbegantoplantheimplementationoftheproject.
TheAfghangovernment’ssupportforUNOCALwasreducedwhenconflictoverOsamabinLadensparkedwiththeUnitedStates.ThiscompanyundoubtedlyhadalotofAfghanagentsaffiliatedwiththeCIAwhowereappointedtokeypositionsaftertheUSinvasionofAfghanistan,includingtheformerSupremeCourtheadAbdulSalamAzimi,Khalilzad,HamidKarzai,andEngineerMuhammadSiddique,theministerofminesduringtheKarzairegime.TheseAfghanswereofficialemployeesofAzimiandSiddique’scompanies,afewwereobserversandotherswereadvisors.
CIAdocumentsrevealthatin1997,thestaffofUNOCALgavetheminformationaboutOsamabinLadeninKandahar.Thegoalsandtheobjectives
ofthiscompanymakeitmoresuspicious.[1]
FinallyinAugust1998,whenAmericaattackedAfghanistanwithcruisemissiles,UNOCALofficiallyannouncedthedelayofthepipelineextension.AftertheUSannouncementofsanctionsonAfghanistan,UNOCALcloseditsofficesinthecountry.
AftertheannouncementofthedelaybyUNOCAL,theinvolvedpartieswerecompelledtocontactBridasagain.BridashadfiledacasethenagainstUNOCALintheinternationalcourt,butbeforethatBridaswasconvictedin
anothercourtinTexasbyUNOCAL,actingthroughTurkmenistan.
InApril1999,ameetingwasheldinIslamabadbetweenMullahAhmadJan,thePakistaniMinisterforOilandNaturalResourcesChaudhryNisarAliKhan,andthedeputyofTurkmenistan’spresident.Thegaspipelineagreementwasdiscussedfromitsinitiation.
InSeptember1999,MullahAhmedJanlearnedaboutPakistanandTurkmenistan’spossiblecontractwithaChinesecompanythatwouldtakeonthegaspipelineprojectinsteadofBridasandUNOCAL.ThereweresimilardiscussionsinprogresswithMalaysia’sPetronas.ButeverythingcametoahaltinNovemberowingtosanctionsbytheUNSecurityCouncil.
MullahAbdulSalamZaeef,whowasthedeputyministerofindustryandmines,believesthatthemainreasonbehindUNsanctionswasnotmakinganagreementwithUNOCAL.Hewrotethisin2016inanarticleabouttheTAPIproject:
In1999,whenIwastheDeputyMinisterofIndustryandMineswehadameetingaboutthisprojectinAshkhabad.Forthreedayswemetwithrepresentativesofinterestedcountriesandcompanies.Ihadtravelledforthisprojectearlieraswell,andseveralothershadalsotravelledandhelddiscussions.Itwasthelastmeetingin1999;ontheseconddaywehadalotofdiscussionsabouttheroleofUNOCAL.PakistaninsistedthatUNOCALshouldimplementtheproject;TurkmenistanwasnotinterestedandpreferredBridas.WeinitiallysupportedPakistan’spointofview.Turkmenistan’sTurkmenbashispeciallyinvitedusatnight,andduringdinnerheremindedusofAfghan’sbenefaction,andsharedthreekeypointswithusthatheinsistedhewasn’tabletoshareinthemeeting:
HesaidtwothingswouldbedoneforAfghans.Wecanneverrepaytheindependencewehave.HesaidtwoworkswouldbedoneforAfghansasagift.Inourcapacity,wewillprovideelectricitytosomeareasofAfghanistan.
HowmuchwillthisTAPIprojectbedelayed,andatlastwillitbedonethroughAfghanistan?Evenifsomecountriesdon’twantthiswork.
Hesaid:doyouunderstandthesensitivityornot?Butweunderstandcompletelythatwearesmallanddefencelesscountries,wearestillundertheinfluenceofRussiansandtheyneverwantAmericanstoenterthisarea.IfyouaskforUNOCALlikePakistanthenitisbeneficialforusthatthisprojectisdelayed.Survivalandsecurityisournationalpriority.
ThenextdayweaffirmedtherecommendationofTurkmenistanandsignedamemorandumwithBridaswhichmadetheAmericansangry.
TheUStookastandforonecompany,inmyopinion–thisisalimitedthoughtandabasicinterpretation.ThereisnodoubtthatCentralAsia’snaturalresourceswereandareatargetforAmericans.TheUShasotherobjectivesaswellintheregion,andtheTaliban’sgovernment,system,andstrictreligiousstructurewereahindrancetothem.Afterthesuccessofthemujahideen,theUSconsideredAfghanistanasapermanentdefeatfortheRussiansandawinforthem.TheconflictbetweenthemujahideenmadeiteasierfortheUS,buttheTaliban’sstrongrole,hatredoftheUSandignoringthewestbecameanintolerablenightmaretothem,eventhoughtheTalibanhadnointentionofenmitywiththeUSandneverevenwantedtosurrender.
1FromthebookGhostWarsbySteveColl.
Chapter5:Relationsandconflictswithneighbouring
andregionalcountries
CONFLICTSANDDIPLOMACYWITHIRAN
AftertheTalibanuprising,IranwassuspiciousfromtheoutsetabouttheTalibanmovement.ButwhentherewasabattleinGhaznibetweentheIran-supportedHizb-eWahdatmilitiasandtheTaliban,andwhenHizb-eWahdatleaderAbdulAliMazariwaskilled,IranconsideredtheTalibantobetheirenemy.
IranopenlysupportedHekmatyarandcoalitionforcesagainsttheTaliban.Iranopenlyprovidedpolitical,financialandmilitarysupporttoMassoud,Dostum,andHizb-eWahdat.AftertheTalibangainedcontrolofKabul,HekmatyarandhisfamilymemberssoughtasyluminIranandpropagatedreligiousverdicts(fatwa)andwaragainsttheTalibanviaIranianradio.
AftertheconquestofHerat,theTalibansentmanydelegationstoIranbutarelationshipcouldnotbeestablishedeventhoughtheyagreedonafewpoints.TheTalibanwantedagoodrelationshipwithIranbutbecauseoftheirsupportingHazaramilitia,IranwaspessimisticabouttheTaliban.IrandidnotrecognisetheTalibanbutstillopenedconsulatesinHerat,Nangarhar,andMazar.
TheincidentoftheelevenIranianconsulatestaffwhosebodieswerefoundinaditchonSeptember10isstilluncleartothisday.ThiswasacriticalincidentforMullahOmar.TheinvolvementoftheTalibanwasnotprovenafterseveralinvestigations;itispossiblethatitwascarriedoutbyafewpeoplewhowerescaredbecauseofthesensitivityoftheissue.AfewsourcesstatethatithappenedasperthepolicyofIran.Insummary,nothingaboutthisincidentcanbeacceptedorrejected.Inaradiomessage,MullahOmarusedverystrongandthreateningstatementsforthosewhowereinvolvedinthisincident.
IrannotonlythreatenedamilitaryattackagainsttheTalibanbutalsoamasseditsmilitaryontheNimruzandHeratborders.Theirmilitaryplanesandhelicoptersenteredourterritoryafewtimesbutbecauseofthesensitivityoftheissue
enteredourterritoryafewtimesbutbecauseofthesensitivityoftheissueMullahOmardidnotallowustoattackthem.HowevertherewasanorderifthatiftheycarryoutanattackonAfghanistanthentheTalibanshouldretaliate.AfewAmericanorganisationsalsoprovidedinformationthatIranhasintentionsofattackingAfghanistan.TheTalibanalsosentitsforcestotheborderarmedwithheavyweaponsandarmouredtanks.
Iran,likeothers,wantedtostoptheTaliban’sadvancementtowardsthedefeatedHizb-eWahdatforcesandreducetheirmilitarypressureonHizb-eWahdatandMassoudforcesbyengagingtheTalibanonseveralfronts.MullahOmarrequestedfortheinterventionoftheUnitedNationsthroughtheMinistryofForeignAffairs.InordertoboostthemoraleofhisforcesandtosendamessagetoIran,hemadeharshstatementsthatwerepublishedbywell-knownmediaoutlets.MullahOmaraddressedIraninhisstatementsandsaidthatIraniansdonotconsiderusasMuslimsnorasinfidels.IfIranattacksourforces,wewillventurethirtykilometresintoIran.
OntheofficialrequestoftheTaliban,theUnitedNationsspecialenvoyLakhdarBrahimivisitedIranandthenAfghanistan.WewerealsopresentathismeetingwithMullahOmar.
THEROLEOFTHEUNITEDNATIONSINAPOTENTIALWARBETWEENIRANANDTHETALIBAN
OnOctober4at9am,LakhdarBrahimiandtheheadoftheOrganisationoftheIslamicConferencecametoKandaharinaUNaeroplane.Theywereaccompaniedbyafewforeigners.ThedelegationledbyBrahimiwasfirsttakentothegraveyardofthethousandsofTalibanwhowerekilledbyGeneralMalik,andthentheycametoKandaharcity.Brahimiwasverysensitiveanddeft;hecleverlystartedthediscussionwithMullahOmar’stemperamentinmind.HetalkedaboutthecultureandtraditionofAfghanistanandthen,alongwiththeissuesofnarcotics,hecametotheactualtopicoftheIran-Afghanistanconflict.
Themeetingwentsmoothly,andtheheadoftheOrganisationoftheIslamicConferenceIbrahimalBakarwassittingquietlyuntiltheend.WhenMullahOmarenteredthemeetinghallalBakarbegantotremble.IthoughtthathemightbethinkingthatMullahOmarwouldaddresshimharshlylikeTurkial-Faisal.ThisshowedthepropagandaspreadbyTurkial-Faisal,whousedtosaythat
ThisshowedthepropagandaspreadbyTurkial-Faisal,whousedtosaythatMullahOmardoesnotlikeArabrulers.ThiswasnottrueastheissueofTurkial-Faisalwasverydifferentandsensitive.IntheafternoonBrahimiandal-BakarreturnedtoIslamabad.
AtapressconferencehedeclaredthemeetingwithMullahOmartobepositiveandbeneficial.HetoldtheBBCatthepressconference:“IamthankfultoMullahOmarforwarmhospitality.Myfirstmeetingwithhimwasinaverygoodenvironmentandsuccessful.WehaveadvancedtoreducethedisputebetweenAfghanistanandIran.IfirstvisitedthegraveyardwheretheTalibankilledinMazar-eSharifareburiedandstilltheirburialwasinprocess.IwillnotforgetwhatIsawthere.Theseobservationsmotivateusthatweshouldmakeeffortstoendwarsinthiscountrysothatthereisfriendshipandcollaborationbetweenallthoselivingintheregion.”
THENORMALISATIONOFRELATIONSWITHIRAN
Bytheendof1998,therelationshipwithIranhadbecomeoneofenmity.AndafterthevictoryofMazar-eSharif,elevenIranianswerekilledwhichsawthemobilisationofforcesfromthetwocountriesattheborder.DuringtheconquestofBamiyanandMazar,TalibanseizedIranianweaponsfromHizb-eWahdatwhichhadbeenprovidedassupportbyIran.
AftertheconquestofBamiyan,afewHazaraleadersincludingAkbarijoinedtheTaliban.TheywereofficiallyassignedjobsinBamiyanandinotherareas.TheopenenmityofAmericansagainsttheTaliban,encouragedIrantotrusttheTalibanagainsttheUS.TheyalsounderstoodthatthemurderofIraniancitizensinHeratwasnotintentionalorplannedbytheTalibanleadership.
DuringtheperiodofsanctionsagainsttheTalibangovernment,Iranopeneditsborderforfoodandotherimportantgoods.Itwasacriticalrouteforessentialgoods.WhenMawlawiWakeelAhmadwasappointedasaministerforforeignaffairs,hefocusedontheserelationshipseventhoughtherewereopponentstothisamongtheTaliban.DelegationswereexchangedontheissueoftheHelmandriver.Intelligenceagreementswerealsopartofthesediplomaticvisits.ThesegoodrelationswithIranremainedinforceuntilthecollapseoftheTalibangovernment.
DEADLYBLASTSATMULLAHOMAR’SHOUSE
OntheafternoonofAugust24,1999,IwasstandingnearthemaindoortomyapartmentwhenIstoppedthepersoninchargeofsecurityforthesixtharea.HewaspassinginavehicleandIwantedtoaskhimsomeinformation.Iaskedhimwherehewasgoing.BakhtMuhammadsaid:SomeoneparkedavehiclenearMullahOmar’shouseonthemainroadandthereisnoonethere.MullahOmar’sguardsjustinformedme.Iamgoingtocheckonwhosecarthisisandwhyitisstoppedthere.
Thatevening,IwasgoingtotheprovincialguesthousewhichwasnexttoMullahOmar’shouse,aboutakilometreawayfromtheoffice.Ireversedmyvehicletoleavewhenablastshookthewholecity.AtthattimeourmindswenttotheUSsanctions,andIthoughtofaUScruisemissileorairstrikeagainstMullahOmar.
OnthesamedayunknownaeroplaneswereseenattheAfghan-Pakistanborder.Someofficialsalsoconsideredthat,butthemostcriticalnewswasaboutMullahOmar’slifeanddeath.Weforgoteverything.IwaitedafewminutestoconfirmwhetherthetargetofthebomborthemissilewasMullahOmar’shouseorsomeotherplace.Ontheradiocommunicationsystem,everyonewasshoutingaboutMullahOmar’slife.InthemeantimeMullahOmarsaidIamalivebutotherfriendsandfamilymembersareburiedunderdebris.
LikealltheothereldersImovedtowardsMullahOmar’shouse.Wemovedthefamilymemberstoasafearea.Wewerestilllookingattheskyaswehadnoideawhetherthiswasanairoragroundattack.Manypeoplewerekilledandinjured.Noonenearthemaindoorhadsurvived,whichimmediatelygaveaclueaboutthetypeofblast.MorethantenofMullahOmar’sclosefriendsfromthetimeofthejihad,andtwobrothersMullahAbdulKhaliqandAbdulSalamweremartyred.Oneofhiswiveswasinjured.Thelivingroomwasnotimpactedmuchbytheblastbecauseofthewalls.Mostofhisfamilymemberssurvivedbutthedeathofhisclosefriendsdisheartenedhimtoanextentthathewasunabletoforgetthisincident.
Whenwereachedthesite,theintelligencechiefwasstandingthereandhisfriendswerelookingforthemartyredfriends.QariHamidGulsaidthatthesame
vehiclewasfullofexplosives.BakhtMuhammadandMullahOmar’sbrotherswantedtotowthevehicleandtakeittoanotherlocation,butsomeonewaspresenttherewitharemotecontrolwhopressedthedetonator.TheplanwastocauseanexplosionasMullahOmarenteredhishouse.TheattacktookplaceonaThursday,whenMullahOmarusedtoleavehisofficeearly.Theplannershadmadenoteofthetiming,butonthatdayMullahOmarwenthomeearlierthanusual.
ThiswasthefirstmajorsecurityincidentaftertheTalibancameintopower.ThesecurityofKandaharhadaspecialstatusduringtheTalibanregime.Noonethoughtthatsuchabigincidentcouldtakeplace.PriortothistheTalibannevercaredabouttheirownpersonalsecurityandonlytookmeasurestoprotectpublicplaces.Butafterthisincidentkeyofficialsconcentratedoninstitutingsecuritymeasuresintheirorganisations.
TheUSMinistryofForeignAffairscondemnedtheincidentadaylaterandexpressedsympathyforthoseaffected.MawlawiMutawakkiltoldthemediathataccordingtoaninitialinvestigationtheUSwasnotinvolvedintheattack.MullahOmargaveaninterviewtoVoiceofAmericaandsaidthattherewasforeigninvolvementintheattackbutAmericawasnotinvolved.Wehavemanyenemiesandthoseresponsiblefortheblastcannotvanish.
Theperpetratorswereneverexposed,butthereweresuspicionsandgossipaboutafewcommandersofHelmandwhohadsupportfromIran.Iran–withthesupportofHekmatyarandevenHamidKarzai–wasalsonamed.Itwasconsideredtobetheplacewheretheattackwasplanned.
THEBEGINNINGOFTHERELATIONSHIPWITHPAKISTAN
AftertheconquestofKandahar,alow-leveldelegationfromPakistanvisitedKandahartoreceivetheremaininggoodsofatradeconvoythatwaslootedbymilitiasoronahighwaypriortotheTalibantakingpower.ThisconvoywasroutedfromPakistantoTorghundaithroughKandaharandHeratafteranagreementbetweenKandaharGovernorGulAghaSherzaiandPakistan’sinteriorministry.SherzaiwasgovernorinnameonlyandnotcapableofprovidingsecurityonthehighwayslikeIsmailKhan.ThisconvoywasthenlootedandsomeofthestolengoodscameintoTalibancustodyfrommilitias
afterthecaptureofKandahar.Thisdelegationcomprisinglow-levelstafffromPakistan’sinteriorministryandtheISIvisitedKandahar.TheTalibantreatedthedelegationverycarefullyandinacoldmanner,andhandedovertheremaininggoodsaftertheypresenteddocumentedproof.
MullahMuhammadAbbas,theheadoftheSupremeShura,metthedelegationwhotoldhimthatPakistanwantstosupportyouandintendstohaveagoodrelationshipwiththeTaliban.ButMullahAbbasrudelysaidthatwearefedupofyourfriendshipandsupport.DonotcreatemoreissuesamongAfghans.MullahAbbashintedattheconflictbetweenRabbaniandHekmatyar.
DuringTalibanrule,acoloneltoldthisstorytotheAfghanAmbassadorShahabuddinDilawar,thatinitiallytheTalibanrespondedtousrudelyandinanunsuitablemanner.ButweknewthattheTalibandonotknowaboutpowerandtheenduringnatureofwar,andeventuallytheywillneedsomeone’ssupport.Initially,thefrostyrelationshipbetweenPakistanandtheTalibanwasbeneficialfortheopposition.ButsupportersfromPakistan-basedAfghanrefugeesandsupportingyouthgroupsfreelyvisitedAfghanistan.TensofinjuredTalibanmilitantsweretakenfromAfghanistantoPakistanihospitalseverydaywhichiswhyPakistanwasdeemedasupportivecountry.AlthoughPakistanknewaboutthetreatmentofinjuredAfghansduringthejihad,militantsinjuredduringthecivilwarwerealsotakenopenlytoPakistanfortreatmentbutopponentsdeclaredthisbehaviourofPakistantobeasignofitspermanentsupportfortheTaliban.
WHYDIDPAKISTANPREFERTHETALIBAN?
AdayafterthecaptureofHerat,BurhanuddinRabbani’ssupportersattackedthePakistaniEmbassyinKabulandsetitonfire.Oneembassystafferwaskilledintheattackandafewwereseverelyinjured.PakistancloseditsembassyinresponseandbrokeoffdiplomatictieswithAfghanistan.ThisadverselyimpactedtheRabbanigovernmentasakeyneighbouringcountrybrokeofftieswithhisgovernmentandstrengthenedhisrivals.
PakistanhadstrongintelligencelinkswithjihadicommandersinKabulandknewthattheprotestwasorganisedbythegovernmentandeverythingwasdonedeliberately.ThesupportersofRabbaniandMassoudthoughtthatthebest
deliberately.ThesupportersofRabbaniandMassoudthoughtthatthebestresponsewartopressurePakistanthroughthedeathofmanyPanjshiriyouthsintheHeratbattle.PakistanhadneverpracticallysupportedtheTalibanuntilthen,andonlythepeopleofPakistanshownsupportandsympathy.
Ontheotherhand,PakistanwasalsosuspiciousabouttheroleofIraninthisattack,sinceafterthefallofHerat,IranwasworriedaboutitsweakroleinAfghanistanandsowantedPakistantocloseitsembassiesandfaceissues.PakistanwasalsodoubtfulaboutIndia’sroleintheattack.
AfewpeoplebelievethatthemysteriouskillingsofelevenIraniansin1997aftertheTalibanrecapturedMazar-eSharifwasPakistan’srevengefortheattackontheembassyinKabul,butthereisnoevidencefortheseclaims.
TheattackandarsonincidentatthePakistanEmbassyinKabuldisappointedPakistanandkickstarteditseffortstoforgeafriendshipwiththeTaliban.ItexpressedinterestinanopeninganequivalentembassyinJalalabad.ArelationshipwasestablishedwiththeEasternShuraledbyHajiQadeerinsteadofRabbani,anditwasplannedtocarryoutthetasksoftheKabulEmbassyfromtheJalalabadConsulate.
AllsevenmujahideengroupswereestablishedinPakistan,andtheycarriedouttheirpoliticalandmilitaryactivitiesfromthereuntilthefalloftheNajibgovernment.BurhanuddinRabbanialsoreachedKabulwithPakistan’ssupport.AftertheMujadiddigovernment,hewassuccessfulinthedemocraticgovernmentelectioninPeshawar–withtheconsultationofPakistanis.PakistanwasaccusedofsupportingHekmatyarduringthewarbetweentheRabbaniandHekmatyarmilitias.
WhentheTalibaninitiallyappearedinKandahar,theywerewelcomedbyRabbaniandSayyafandcalled‘angelsofpeace’.WhentheTalibanfoughtagainstIsmailKhaninthesouthandMassoud’sforcesinthecapital,RabbaniandhissupportersaccusedtheTalibanofhavingPakistan’ssupport.Atthattime,PakistanandtheRabbanigovernmenthadanormalofficialanddiplomaticrelationship.PakistanlookedattheRabbanigovernmentastheirrepresentativegovernmentinAfghanistan.
WhentheobjectionsofRabbaniandhiscoalitionforcesincreasedagainst
WhentheobjectionsofRabbaniandhiscoalitionforcesincreasedagainstPakistan,theyofferedfriendshiptoIndiaagainstPakistanresultinginthebloodyattackonthePakistaniEmbassyinKabul.ThiswasfollowedbyeffortsbyafewpoliticalandreligiousgroupsandpeopletoestablishrelationswiththeTaliban.PakistanwasalsoeagertoestablishimportantpoliticalandmilitarytieswiththeTalibanbecauseoftheirsuccessesandvictories.PakistaninitiallyhadhonoraryconsulatesinHerat,Mazar,JalalabadandKandaharastheactualauthoritywaswiththeembassyinKabul.Butaftertheattackontheembassy,theKandaharConsulatewasgivenpowersandaconsulatewasalsoopenedinHerat.ThisledtoanofficialrelationshipbetweentheTalibanandPakistan,andthiswasreplacedbyfundamentalandnecessaryofficialtiesbetweenthetwogovernmentsduringtheTalibanregime.
Ononehand,theTaliban’sunpleasantrelationswiththeworldcompelledtheTalibantohavediplomaticandpoliticaltieswithPakistan.ButPakistanalwayslookedtotheserelationshipsaccordingtoitsneedsandtheyneverhadanyreligiousmotivesorastrategicpartnership.ButthepublicsolidarityandtherelationsoftheTalibanwiththereligioussegmentofsocietywasadifferentmotivator.TheTalibanslowlyandgraduallymovedtowardsarelationshipwithPakistan.
CHALLENGINGRELATIONSWITHPAKISTANANDMUSHARRAF’SCOUP
InJuly1999,whentheUSimposedone-sidedsanctionsagainstAfghanistan,thePakistaniPrimeMinisterNawazSharifstronglycriticisedtheTalibanandsaidthattherewereafewPakistaniextremistswiththeTalibanwhowerewantedinPakistan.ItwasnotasecretthatalongwithUzbeks,Tajiks,andChechens,PakistanijihadiswerealsopresentatTalibanbasesandonthefrontline.TheyalsotookpartinbattlesalongwiththeTalibanandmostofthemwerefromKashmiriorganisations–andPakistanhadnoissueswiththem.
ManyvolunteermujahideenofKashmirigroups,liketheArabmujahideen,werepresentinthemujahideentrainingcentresduringthejihadagainsttheUSSRaswell.Hizbul-Mujahideen,alBadar,Harakatul-MujahideenandotherjihadiorganisationvolunteerswereknowntothemujahideenofKhost,Paktia,Nangarharandotherprovinces.
ThesevolunteerswerenotinvitedbytheTaliban,norweretheyofficiallysent
ThesevolunteerswerenotinvitedbytheTaliban,norweretheyofficiallysentbyPakistan.TheyweresupportingtheTalibanbecauseoftheirdevotiontojihad.TheTalibanwerenotabletodifferentiatebetweenwhowasgoodorbadonPakistan’srequest.WhatevertheirreputationmightbeinPakistan,inAfghanistantheywerelivingasexpatriatemujahidsandMuslimbrothers.
MullahOmarwasnotinterestedinthecharterandpolicyoftheSipah-eSahaba.AfewpeoplefromthisgroupwereinAfghanistanwithotherKashmirijihadis.WhenafamousIslamicscholarMaulanaMuhammadYousafLudhianviwaskilledinKarachi,IheardMullahOmarviatheradioaddressingTayyabAghatotellthem–theSipah-eSahabapeople–that“MayAllahmakeyoupoor:becauseofyouractions,IslamicscholarsattheleveloftheUmmaarebeingmartyred.”
TheTalibanthoughtthatNawazSharif’sharshcommentsweren’tbecauseofthepresenceofafewpeopleinAfghanistan,butratherthathewantedtopleaseAmericaandtheWest.ThroughhisstatementsthePakistanigovernmentwantedtostandagainsttheTalibanwithWesternandpublicsupport.NawazSharifalsospokeagainsttheTalibaninthepresenceofSaudiandEmiratirulers.IntheendthebrotherofNawazSharif[ShahbazSharif]usedharshwordsfortheTalibanandAfghanistan.ThiswasnotsuitablefortheprovincialleaderofPunjab.ItappearedthatShahbazSharifwasmoresympathetictoandsupportiveoftheWestthanNawazSharif.ShahbazSharifthreatenedthatwewillcloseourbordertoAfghanistan.Statementsofthiskindwereofgreatconcerntousattimewhenwewereunderimmenseglobalpressure.
WhenthePakistanArmytookoverthegovernmentthroughacouponOctober12,wewerehappythattherewillnolongerbeaharshstancefromtheNawazSharifgovernmentandourissueswithPakistanwillbereducedforawhile.
Aftertheannouncementofthecoup,MullahOmaraskedmetoprepareanannouncement,butthewordsoftheannouncementhadatouchofwelcomingthecoupandreproachingthegovernment.WhenIreadthetextoftheannouncementtoMullahOmaroverthephonehesaidthatthelanguageusedwasnotcorrect.Weshouldn’treproachtheformergovernmentorwelcomethenewone.Wellwishes,bilateralsupportandIslamicbrotherhoodshouldshouldbetheactualmessageoftheannouncement.Ourpolicyshouldbeclear
regardingnon-interferenceinthedomesticpoliticsofPakistan.
IrewrotetheannouncementbutIstilltermedthecoupasareactiontotheopponentsofPakistan.IreadittoMullahOmarasecondtimeandheapprovedit.Isentthisannouncementtomediahouses.Themainpointswere:
ThegovernmentandpeopleofAfghanistanwantpeaceandastronggovernmentinPakistan.Yesterday’smilitarycoupisaninternalissueofPakistan.ThisisareactiontotheactionsofthoseforeignconnectionsthatareagainstthesovereigntyofPakistan,itspeople,military,andtheparliamentarygovernment.
MULLAHOMAR’SRECOMMENDATIONTOMUSHARRAFTOIMPLEMENTANISLAMICSYSTEM
Intheperiodafterthecoup,Musharrafappointedhimselfpresident.MullahOmarsenthimanofficialletter.ThisletterwaswritteninMullahOmar’sofficeandthemainpointwas:“PakistanisacountryofMuslimsandthepeoplewantIslamiclaws.Sothisisachanceasyou(Musharraf)havebothgovernmentandmilitarypowersandnoonecanstandagainstyou.YoucaneasilyannounceIslamicShariaastheofficialconstitutionofPakistanandimplementitinyourhighercourts.”
Idonothaveinformationabouttheresponsetothisletter,butMusharrafwasprobablyquietorheexcusedhimselforgaveotherreasons.
PakistaniIslamicscholarsandthereligiousclassstronglysupportedtheTalibanatthattime.MullahOmarthoughthimselfcapableofsupportingMusharrafinthisregard.ButtheTalibanlaterlearntaboutMusharraf’spolicyandthathehasnointerestinIslamorMuslims.HejoinedhandswiththeAmericansintheinvasionagainstusandalsoputthesovereigntyofPakistanindanger,whichledtothiscountryfallingpermanentlyintoturmoil.Heinsultedhismedalsandhisatomicscientiststopleaseothers.
PakistanigovernmentsmaintainedrelationswiththeTalibanforpoliticalandtechnicalneeds,andforthistheyconsideredtheworldas‘necessary’tothem.ButthereligiousclassofPakistananditspeoplehadastrongreligiousandheartfeltattachmentwiththeTaliban.
MullahOmarneverwantedtointerfereinanycountry’sinternalaffairs,
MullahOmarneverwantedtointerfereinanycountry’sinternalaffairs,includingPakistan.ButheconsideredrelationswithreligiouspeopleinPakistantobethesameashisownpeople.EventhoughMullahOmardidn’tliketheactsandpolicyofPakistan’sreligiousgroups,northeirpoliticalroleinthecurrentdemocracy,butherespectedPakistaniIslamicscholarsandconsideredthemfriends.
HIJACKINGOFINDIANAEROPLANE,DECEMBER22,1999
MullahOmar’sofficeinKandaharreceivedinformationfromtheMinistryofAirOperationsthatahijackedaeroplanewasrequestingpermissiontolandatKabulAirportbutitwasnotallowed.TheministrysaidthattheaeroplanewascurrentlyontheKandaharroute.PakistaniofficialsinformedtheMinistryofForeignAffairsandotherimportantofficialsthatthishijackedplaneisfromIndia,andthattheofficialrecommendationofthePakistanigovernmentwastonotpermittheplanetoland.Pakistanisbelievedthatinthiscriticalsituation,thisactcouldhaveanegativeimpactontheIslamicEmirateaswellasPakistan.WhenMullahOmarheardaboutthis,afterashortdelayhetoldairportofficialsviaradiotoallowtheplanetoland.Allimportantofficialsheardthismessageontherepeaterradio.
WhenMullahOmarorderedtoallowtheaeroplanetoland,theplanehadcrossedtheKandaharlimitsanditsroutewastowardstheUAEthroughIran.ThosegovernmentofficialswhowereagainstthelandingoftheaeroplanewerenolongerworriedastheaeroplanehadleftAfghanairspace.AfterafewhoursHajiFarid,thein-chargeofArianaAirlineinDubai,informedusoverthephonethatthehijackedplanehadlandedinDubai’sal-MinhajAiportforfuelandfoodforthepassengers,anditwouldtakeoffagainafterthat.TheForeignAffairsMinisterMawlawiWakeelAhmadMutawakkilandafewotherofficialsemphasisedthattherewasnothingtobegainedhereandsoPakistanwasalsoagainstit.
Inthelatehoursofthenight,ahigh-rankingPakistanimilitaryofficialcalledBrigadierSultanspoketoMullahOmaronthephoneandsharedtheirgovernment’sadviceandreasons.Thebrigadiersaid:“Ontheonehandyouareunderpressurefromtheworldandthereareeconomicsanctionsagainstyou,ontheotherhandIndiapointsatPakistanforeveryact.Ifyouallowtheaeroplane
theotherhandIndiapointsatPakistanforeveryact.IfyouallowtheaeroplanetolanditwillbeharmfulforAfghanistanandPakistan.OurrelationswithIndiaarealreadyverycomplicated.”MullahOmarrepliedthatthisisourdecision,andtherearespecialobjectivesforourgovernmentandcountrybehindthisdecision.
Heclearlytoldusabouttheseobjectivesontheradio:IfthehijackersareMuslims,wewillsupportthemasperthesharia,butiftheyareHinduswewillhandthemovertotheIndiangovernmenttoestablishrelationswiththem.Thesewordswereheardbyalltheparticipantsofthisspecialrepeaterradioandfortunatelymostofthemarestillalive.
TheheadofArianaAirlinesinDubai’sAlMinhajAirportprobablyinformedtheIndianaeroplanethatitcouldlandatKandaharAirport.
Afteroffloadingthedeadbodiesofonemanandonewoman,aswellas33womenandchildren,theaeroplanecametoKandahar.Atthatpointnoonewasawareofthehijackersortheirobjectives.ButitlaterbecameclearthatthisaeroplanedepartedfromNepal’sKathmanduairporttowardstheIndiancapitalofNewDelhi.Theplanewascarrying213passengersincluding11crewmembersandafewdiplomats.TheaeroplanesuddenlychangeditsroutetowardsAmritsarcityanddepartedagainafterrefuelling.Indianofficialsknewthattheplanehadbeenhijacked.AfterAmritsar,theplanelandedinthePakistanicityofLahoreandthenleftforKabul.
TheplanelandedatKandaharinthemorning.Ialsowenttotheairport,andtothecontroltower,wheretheForeignAffairsMinisterWakeelAhmadMutawakkilwassitting.ThetowerofficialsweretalkingtothehijackersinEnglish.Theyfirstaskedwhattypeoffoodthepassengerswouldliketohave.TheysaidKabulipulao.TherewasapersonwithmeintheofficecalledZahir,whosemotherwasIndian.HewasraisedinIndiaandfluentinHindi.Wefirstbroughthimintotalktothehijackersandaskthemwhattheywant,butaftercommunicatingwiththemitasclearthatthehijackerswerePakistaniandspokeUrdu.
Thehijackersdemandedthereleaseofthirty-fiveKashmirifreedomfightersincludingMaulanaMasoodAzharfromIndianprisonsandahugeamountofmoney.LaterontherequestoftheIslamicEmiratetheyrecantedtheirdemandofmoney.Thishadnoelementofmoralsandhumanityandshowedthatthey
ofmoney.Thishadnoelementofmoralsandhumanityandshowedthattheyonlyhijackedtheplaneformoney–sotheEmiratedidnotsupporttheminthisdemandandsupportedtheirdemandforthereleaseofprisoners.
TherewasimmensepressureonIndiafromcountrieswhosecitizenswereonboardtheplane.TheRedCrescentandtheUNcontactedtheIndiangovernmentabouttheincident.Beforetheplanelanded,theIndiangovernmentagreedthatforthesakeofthepassengersandhumanneeds,theAfghangovernmentshouldallowtheplanetolandforfuelandfood.
WakilAhmadMutawakkilquestionedthehijackers.Theysaidthisisourlastlanding,wecannotgoanywhereelsenowandifsomeoneforcesus,therewillbenoplaneandpassengers.MullahOmar’sstanceonthiswasclear,butthisresponseofthehijackershelpedMutawakkilindiplomaticeffortsandhandlingthemedia.
MutawakkiltoldthepressthatwithIndia’spermissionwehaveallowedtheplanetolandforfuelandfood.Butthehijackersarenowrefusingtoflyagainandarethreateningtokillthemselvesandthepassengers.Thisisadangeroussituation.Indiashouldtakepositivestepstosolvetheissue.
Regionalandinternationalmediaanddiplomatswerefocusedontheissue.Afewwisepeopleraisedtheissuethroughthepressthatifanythingadverseweretohappentheworld’senmityoftheTalibanwouldincrease.TheIndiangovernmentrequestedglobalsupporttosolvetheissue.
TheRussiangovernmentsuggestedcallinganemergencymeetingoftheUNSecurityCouncil.TheUSForeignMinisterdeclaredthisactasterrorismandanactagainsthumanity.HesaidIndiaandregionalcountriesshouldmakeeffortsalongwiththeAfghangovernmenttoreleasethehostages.ByregionalcountrieshemeantPakistan.AfghanistanandPakistanwereunderpressure,andBrigadierSultan’sstatementprovedtobetrue.
TheEmirateestablishedapermanentsecuritygroupforthesecurityoftheaeroplane.Theyhadaspecialuniformandwerearmed.Theybesiegedtheplanesothatnooneinanotheruniformcouldgetclosetotheplaneorthatthehijackersdonotactinaroguemanner.
ThereweremanymembersofthePakistaniandinternationalmediainKandahar.Itwasmyresponsibilitytolookaftertheiraffairs.Mutawakkilupdatedjournalistsabouttheprogress.TheorganisedmonitoringandstrictsecuritymeasuresofKandaharairport,andthedelicatediplomacyofMawlawiMutawakkilsatisfiedmanyinternationalobservers.TheUNHumanRightsheadEricdeMultoldthemedia:WearethankfultotheTalibanastheycareaboutthehostagesandhavesuccessfullycontinuedtheirefforts.Eventhoughtheyareunderimmenseinternationalpressure,theyareveryclosetoresolvingtheissuesuccessfully.
OnDecember27,agroupoffiftypeopleincludingthetechnicalstaffoftheaeroplanecamefromIndiatoKandaharbyaUNplane.TheystayedattheKandaharAirportguesthouse.Afteraweekofcontinuoustalks,andlengthydiscussionswithMullahMutawakkil,theIndianForeignAffairsMinisterJaswantSinghbroughtdownthreeprisoners–MaulanaMasoodAzhar,MushtaqOmar,andAhmedOmarSaeedShaikh–fromthespecialUNplane.ThehijackersandthesethreereleasedprisonersweretakentoKandaharCorps.
Beforehisdeparture,SinghandMutawakkilheldajointpressconferenceattheKandaharAirportguesthouse.Thepressconferencewasheldintheguesthousehallandattendedbytensofregionalandinternationaljournalists.
MutawakkilthankedJaswantSinghforplayingamajorroleinresolvingtheissue.Inresponse,SinghnotonlythankedMutawakkilbutalsoofficiallyinvitedhimtovisitIndia.AftertheirdepartureintheUNplane,thehijackedplanealsoleft.WewentbacktoKandaharcityinourvehicles.Theradioswereonandonthefirstrepeaterchannel,MullahOmaraddressedtheCorpsCommanderofKandaharMawlawiAkhtarMuhammadUsmani:“Becarefulanddonotfeelproudthatwehaveresolvedthisissue.ThiswasahugetestforusanditisonlyduetoAllah’shiddenhelpthatitended.”
IwasveryhappythatinthissituationofinternationalpressureandeconomicsanctionsthatMawlawiMutawakkilwouldvisitIndia.Thiswouldbeahugediplomaticachievement.ButafteraweektheWesternandIndianmediarelayedthisissuetoPakistaniintelligence,causingastateoftension.TheIndianauthoritiesalsoreviewedthedecisionoftheIndianForeignMinistertoinvitetheTaliban.Ontheotherhand,PakistanwasalsoworriedthatifMutawakkil
Taliban.Ontheotherhand,PakistanwasalsoworriedthatifMutawakkilofficiallyvisitedIndiaitwouldbeanegativemessageforPakistan.
Mutawakkil’sopinionwasthatthehijackersshouldbehandedovertotheRedCrescent.ButMullahOmarsaidthatIhavepromisedtoreleasethemsafely;theyarefreetogoanywheretheywant.ThewesternandIndianmediapublishednewsfrommethatthehijackerswenttoPakistanbutInevergavesuchastatement.TheprisonersandhijackerswerestillinKandahar;Iwassurprisedbyhowthemediaattributedthisincorrectnewstome.
ThenexteveningafewIslamicEmirateofficialswereinvitedtothePakistanConsulatefordinner,includingWakilAhmadMutawakkil,theKandaharCorpscommanderMawlawiAkhtarMuhammadUsmani,MullahOmar’ssecretarySayyedMuhammadTayyabAgha,theformerForeignAffairsMinisterMullahMuhammadGhausandafewothersincludingmyself.Themilitaryattaché‘Zahid’wasouractualhost.Theconsul-general’spositionwasceremonialandtheactualpowerswerewiththemilitaryattaché.Theconsul-generalwasappointedbytheMinistryofForeignAffairswhilethemilitaryattachéwasappointedbytheISI.
ZahidbeganspeakingagainstIndiatousinamannerlikesomeoneteachesfirstgradestudents.Hesaid:HinduscanneverbefriendswithMuslims.HindushavehistoricallymistreatedMuslimshesaidotherthingslikethat.Weunderstoodhisgoalandthetaskassignedtohimbyhisgovernment.DuringthediscussionsZahidpraisedAkhtarMuhammadUsmaniforthefoolproofsecurityoftheplaneandtheairport.Usmaniwasajollypersonandhesometimesjokedduringthemeeting.Heusedaproverbthatmeant:Weunderstandthatyourpersonnelwereneartheairportandcloselymonitoringtheentiresituationfromtwovehiclesparkedindestroyedbuildings.ThePakistanivehicleswereparkedtherewiththeEmirate’spermissionsincethePakistanisconsideredthemselvestobeapartoftheincident.AttheendofthemeetingMullahMuhammadGhausAkhundaskedafewquestionsthatmadeitseemlikehewasnotfullyawareofthesituation.HewasjusttryingtogetinformationfromthePakistaniauthoritiesandknowtheirperspectiveontheincident.
POLITICALANDECONOMICRELATIONSWITHCHINA
AfewChinesedelegationsvisitedAfghanistanduringtheTalibanregime,
AfewChinesedelegationsvisitedAfghanistanduringtheTalibanregime,includingofficialsfromtheForeignAffairsministry,intelligenceofficials,andrepresentativesfromChinesecompanieswhointendedtoinvestinAfghanistan.TheseofficialsalsometwithMullahOmarandotherTalibanofficials.
Intermsofeconomicdevelopment,theChinesehadintentionstobuildhighways,acommunicationsystem,andrehabilitatecementfactories.Afewagreementswerealsoreadythatweredelayedduetoeconomicsanctions.
IntheUSmissileattackinAugust1998anunexplodedmissilefellinKandahar’sMarufdistrict.OnSeptember2,thismissilewasfoundbythesecurityresponsibleoftheMarufdistrict.ItwastransferredtoKandahar.ChineseintelligenceofficialsmadecontactviatheIslamabadEmbassytosecretlyexaminethismissile.Afterafewdays,twoChineseengineersaccompaniedbyChineseintelligenceofficialssecretlyvisitedKandaharandexaminedthemissileindetail.
MuftiMasoomAfghanireceivedinformationaboutthevisit.HewastheambassadorinIslamabadbutatthattimehewashomeduetoanillness.HewasonlyprovidingnewsfromKandahartothePakistaninewspaperZarb-eMomin.Hewasaspiritualfollowerofthenewspaper’sfounderMuftiRasheedAhmadLudhianvi.Withoutobtaininganypermissionorconsultinganyone,MuftiMasoomrevealedthissecretnewstoZarb-eMomin.Whenthenewspaperpublishedthisstory,itsaddenedtheChineseanddeemedtheTalibanincompetentatkeepingsecrets.Ontheotherhand,theUSblamedChinaforcopyingtheirtechnologybuttheirmainconcernwasTaliban-Chinarelations.
AfterconstantpressurebytheUSandRussia,MullahOmarofficiallyorderedtheMinistryofForeignAffairstoconcentrateonrelationswithChina,becauseitisagoodchoiceagainsttwomajorpowersandtheChinesedonothaveacolonialideologyorpolicyagainstAfghanistan.ChinaisanimportantneighbourofAfghanistan.
OnMay26,1999,aChinesecompanysignedanagreementwiththeMinistryofMinesandIndustriestoestablishcementfactoriesinthecitiesofKandahar,Pul-eKhumriandHerat.Theyalsostarteddiscussionsforpublictradeandconstructionprojects.AccordingtoMawlawiAhmadJan,“Ahigh-ranking
constructionprojects.AccordingtoMawlawiAhmadJan,“Ahigh-rankingChineseofficialtoldmethatyoucantakeadvantageofthesesanctions.TherewasatimewhentheChinesehadnoutensilstoeatfooddistributedbywesterncharitiesandhumanrightsNGOs[…].WearrivedatthisconditionbecauseoftheseWesternNGOs.Whensanctionswereimposedagainstus,ourleaderexpelledalltheNGOsfromChinaandtheChinesefocusedoneducationandindustries.AftertwentyyearsChinabecameanatomicpower.”HeaddedthatwhilethereareWesternNGOsinanycountrytheywouldnevergetridofpovertyandslavery.
ThiswasfollowedbyanexchangeofdelegationsattheForeignAffairsministrylevel,butthisnewswasmostlykepthiddenfromthemedia.
AfterthecollapseoftheTalibangovernment,nooneexpectedtheTaliban’spoliticalpresence.Theirresistancealsodoesnotlookstrong.After2006,theTalibanstartedeffortstodeveloprelationswithChinabutwhenthiswasdiscoveredbyaneighbouringcountry,theseactivistswerethreatenedtodeath.ButaftertheopeningoftheQatarofficethesedelegationsopenlyvisitedChinaonceagain.AfterthatdelegationsfromtheneighbouringcountryalsovisitedChina,andtheChineseopenlyacceptedtheirrelationswiththeTaliban.
TheTalibanleaderMullahAkhtarMuhammadMansoormadetripstoChinaandRussiathroughPakistanandQatar.ThesevisitswerenothiddenfromtheCIAandhethoughttheywerejustsymbolic,butthesecountriesactuallyneverhadfulltrustinthesedelegationsnordidtheyshareanystrategicissueswiththem.HethereforesentdelegationstoothercountriessecretlyfromPakistanandQatar.ButafterthedeathofMullahAkhtarMansoor,thisprocesswashaltedbyofficialsattheQataroffice.
RELATIONSWITHTURKMENISTAN
AmongAfghanistan’sneighbouringcountries,IranandTajikistanwerestronglysupportingtheTaliban’senemies.TajikistanwasanimportantcentreandrouteforthesupplyofequipmentandasourceofsupportfortheNorthernAlliance.TajiknationalismwasafactorbehindthefriendshipbetweenRabbani,MassoudandtheTajikistangovernment.UzbekistanalsoopposedtheTaliban.TheynotonlysupportedDostumbutalsoopposedtheTalibanduetothepresenceoftheUzbekgroup,theIslamicMovementofUzbekistan,inTaliban-controlledareas.
Uzbekgroup,theIslamicMovementofUzbekistan,inTaliban-controlledareas.ThesefightersremainedinAfghanistanafterthemujahideenvictorylikemembersofotherIslamicgroups.UnderRabbani’sleadership,themujahideengovernmentforcedTajikrebelsledbyAbdullahNooritocarryoutpeacenegotiationswhichfailed.UzbekrebelsremainedthereuntiltheTalibangovernmentwasinplace,whichprovidedthemrefuge.Similarly,theUzbekgovernmenthostednegotiationsbetweenTalibanrepresentativesandtheopposition.
TurkmenistanwasaTaliban-friendlycountryinCentralAsiaandhadnomajorissueswiththeTaliban.KyrgyzstanalsowantedclosetieswiththeTalibanbutanadvancedrelationshipcouldnotbeestablished.ThestrongrelationswithTurkmenistanbeganwiththegaspipelineproject,andTurkmenistanwasanimportanttraderouteforAfghanistanaswell.
TurkmenistanofficialsvisitedAfghanistanduringTalibanrule,andTalibanleadersalsovisitedTurkmenistan.Theyemphasisedmutualrelationsandsupport.TheTurkmenistangovernmentconsideredthistheirrightandneedtohavefriendlytieswithAfghanistanbyremainingimpartialbetweenregionalandmajorpowers.OntheotherhandtherewasnorebelorfightergrouppresentthatcoulduseAfghanistanagainstTurkmenistan.
OFFICIALRECOGNITIONOFCHECHNYA
AfterthetakeoverofKabul,adelegationfromChechnyavisitedAfghanistanledbytheChechenDeputyMinisteroftheForeignAffairsministryAbdullahYefYaragiMuhammadWech.Duetothesensitiveconditionsandtoavoidinternationalcriticism,MullahOmarensuredsecretsupporttothem.Forthetimebeingtheirrecognitionwasputtooneside.
TheTalibanweredisappointedbytheimpositionofinternationalsanctionsin1999,andtheyhadnoexpectationsofnegotiatingwiththeUSandotherkeypowers.AtthattimeRussiahadattackedChechnya.MullahOmarrequestedtheMuslimworldthroughthemediatosupportChechnya.HeevenaddressedlocaloppositiongroupstoforgetabouttheirenmityandhelpChechenMuslims.
Inearly2000,Chechnya’sformerpresidentZalimkhanYenderbaiandtheForeignMinisterAdugafvisitedKabulandKandahar.MullahOmarwelcomed
themwarmlyandalsoofficiallyrecognisedtheChechengovernment.ThedelegationshowedMullahOmarthesigneddocumentsoftheformerpresidentshowingtheacceptancebyRussiaofChechnya’sindependence.
OnJanuary26,2000,anofficialagreementofrecognitionwassignedbyAfghanistan’sForeignMinisterMullahWakeelAhmadMutawakkilandtherepresentativeoftheRussianPresidentZalimkhanYenderbi.ThisdocumentwasintheRussian,Dari,andPashtolanguages.Thiswaspickedupbythemediaaftertwodays.Aftertwoweeks,abuildingwasdesignatedfortheChechenEmbassy,inthecompoundareaofKandaharcitynexttotheMinistryofForeignAffairs’guesthouse.ButafterafiercewarinChechnya,theirrepresentativeswereunabletocome.
Chapter6:MullahOmar’snotablerevolutionary
decisions
TheTalibangovernmentinAfghanistandifferedinabasicwayfromothergovernmentsinthecountry,inthattheheadoftheTalibanmovementandsystemwasmorepowerfulandhadahigherpositionthanthecabinetandthegovernmentleadership.AsimilarsystemintheregioncanonlybeobservedinIran–theonesimilarpointisthatthespiritualleaderoftheIranianrevolutionwasonahigherpositionthanthepresidentandremainedapowerfulfigurewhocouldnotbechangedforhisentirelife.
Inanunplannedmove,IslamicscholarshadgiventhetitleofAmirul-Mu’mineentoMullahMuhammadOmarinameetinginKandahar.Afterthishisstatusbecamemorepowerful,butTalibanleadersneverconsideredthistitleof‘Amirul-Mu’mineen’tobe‘Khilafatul-Muslimeen’orCaliphofallMuslims.ThistitlewasseenasthatofaleaderofagroupofMuslims,eitherasmallareaoracountry,oragreaterareaofMuslims.
SincetheTalibangovernmentwasfundamentallydifferentfrompreviousgovernments,thispavedthewaytochangethenameofthesystemandgovernment.Afewpeople,ledbyMullahOmar’spowerfulsecretaryMullahAbdulSalamKatib,proposedaplantochangethename.Theirreasonsweresimple.TheybelievedthatundertheleadershipofAmirul-Mu’mineenitisappropriatetousetheterm‘Emirate’insteadof‘Daulat’forthegovernment.ThewordsDaulat,Emirate,Sultanate,andHakoomatareactuallywordsofArabicorigin.Therewasanimpressionthatasultanateisledbyasultan,ademocraticgovernmentbyapresident,andtheleadershipofanEmiratecanbecalledAmirorAmirul-Mu’mineen.ButthisnewnamespurredthecritiqueandquestionsofafewAfghans.
AyearaftertheKabulvictory,thisplanwasacceptedbyMullahOmar.OnOctober26,1997,thewordsIslamicgovernmentwerechangedtoIslamic
Emirateinanofficialnotification.ThecabinetwasgiventhenameofShura,and‘Raeesul-Wuzura’(ChiefMinister)wasusedfortheadministrativeleaderofthegovernment.Thewords‘ShuraWazeeranoMarastial’wereusedfortheDeputiesoftheMinisters’Shura.ButafterthedeathofMullahRabbani,MullahOmarannouncedbothdeputiesashisdeputiesandthepositionofRaeesul-Wuzuraor‘PrimeMinister’wasannulled.
Inmyopinion,theuseofthewordEmiratefortheTalibangovernmentwasjustasloganandsymbolic,becausetherewerenochangesintheministers’cabinetandtheadministrativesystem.
Therewasallkindsofpropagandainothercountriesabouttheword’emirate’.AfewsaidthatemiratemeansagovernmentforalltheMuslimsfromtheworld.Thesamewordcanalsobeusedforastateorasub-independentgovernmentaswell.ForexampletheUnitedArabEmirateshassevenstates,andeverystateisapartoftheunitygovernment,andtheyaresevenpartsofonegovernment.
SUDDENBANONPOPPYCULTIVATION
DuringTalibanruleanduntiltheyear1999,accordingtoouragreementwithinternationalNGOstherewasapolicyinplacetoreducepoppycultivationeveryyear.Theplanwastoinitiallyreducepoppycultivationbyone-third,half,thentwo-thirds,andultimatelydowntozerosoasuddenbanwouldnotcauseafinanciallosstopeople.TheIslamicscholarsthatMullahOmarbelievedinwereagainstpoppycultivationbuttheyacceptedthisstrategyofagradualreduction.Duringthesecondyearofthisplan–1998and1999–theresultsreversed.AtthattimeMullahOmarwastakingtherightactionstoeliminateevilwithoutpayingheedtointernationalsanctionsandpressure.Thisincludedthedestructionofstatues,institutingadresscodefornon-Muslims,andafewotherorders,butthebanonpoppycultivationwasfromapurelyreligiousperspective.
InthebeginningofTalibanrule,Islamicscholarsfromtheregiongavereasonsforthepermissibilityofpoppy,butMullahOmarneverfavouredthese.MullahOmarwasconvincedtobanitinstagesinordertoavoidastrongpublicreaction.Accordingtotheagreement,internationalorganisationswerecommittedtopayfarmersforstoppingpoppycultivation.Thisstage-wiseplantoreducepoppycultivationwasnotsuccessful,whichmadeMullahOmardubiousaboutthe
cultivationwasnotsuccessful,whichmadeMullahOmardubiousaboutthesuccessofthisprocess.
OpiumcultivationbeganduringtheRussianinvasioninafewdistrictsofthesouthernprovinceofHelmand.Afterthemujahideenvictory,itscultivationbecamecommoninthemajorpartsofHelmand,aswellasafewdistrictsofKandaharandalsointheeast.OpiumfactorieswereestablishedinHelmand,NangarharandBadakhshan.ThesmugglingofopiumtoPakistanandTajikistanwaseasierthantoIran,thereforesmugglerspreferredtheborderareasofthesecountries.ThiscontinuedduringtheTalibanregime.AfterdiscussionsandreachingaconsensuswithIslamicscholars,MullahOmardecidedtobanitcompletelyinsteadoffollowingthereductionstrategy.
OntheafternoonofJuly26,2000,IwasinmyofficewhentheWFP’slocalworkerEngineerFazalMuhammadsuddenlyarrived.MullahOmaraddressedmeviarepeaterradio:Ibrat!Ibrat!(Thiswasthenameofmyradio.)Iresponded:‘yes’.MullahOmaraskedmetomakecontactviathephoneandtotakeapenandpaper.Iunderstoodthattherewouldbeanurgentandimportantannouncement.MullahOmarsaidtowritethatfromtodayonwardthereisabanonthecultivationofpoppy.Therewillbestrictpunishmentforviolators.Iaskedhimwhethertherewasanycondition,andaboutaskinginternationalorganisationsforsupportasanalternative.Hesaid:“ThereisnoconditionandIambanningitonlyasareligiousresponsibility.Wearenotbanningitfortheworld,norhaveweneededsupportfromanyorganisation.Perhapssomeonemayhelpthefarmersormaybetheywon’t,butwearedoingthisasperourshariaresponsibility.MayAllahforgiveus.”
EngineerFazalalsoheardthesewordsandhewassurprisedandhappy.Ifinishedtheannouncementandaftermakingcorrections,Iwasthinkingaboutpoppycultivationasitwasaninternationalissuethatwascriticisedinthemediaeveryday.Banningitwithoutanyconditionswasanamazingevent.Thisannouncementwassenttojournalistsviafaxandtelephone.Ihadinterviewswithseveralradiochannelsregardingthisaswell.
Officialsinthecapitalwerenotawareofthisyet.IreceivedcallsfromKabullateatnightandthenextdaythisnewswasrepeatedinthemediafromKabul.UnfortunatelyafterafewdaysthewesternmediainterpretedthismajorstepoftheAfghangovernmentverynegatively.MullahOmardidnotcarefortheir
theAfghangovernmentverynegatively.MullahOmardidnotcarefortheirpropagandabecausehedidn’tconsiderthemwhilemakinghisdecision.ButthepublicationbranchoftheEmiratewasverydisappointedbecauseofthisnegativepropaganda.
AfewpeoplesaidthatasMullahOmarhadconfiscatedahugeamountofopium,heimposedabantoraisetheprices.ButeveryonewasfamiliarwithMullahOmar.Inafewmonthsthecultivationofpoppywasstoppedcompletely.
PoppycultivationcontinuedinafewareasthatwereunderthecontrolofMassoud’smilitias,becausetheseareaswerenotundergovernmentcontrol,andwereonlyaboutfivepercentofthecountry.DrugsmugglersandmafiasfromacrossAfghanistanwenttothoseareas.
AWFPreportaboutsmugglingofopiumfromtheseareasblamedafewmembersandcommandersofopponentgroups.ThereportmentionedthewifeofBurhanuddinRabbaniwhowasaccusedofsmugglingdrugs.UnfortunatelyaftertheUSinvasionandanewgovernment,poppycultivationresumedandincreasedseveraltimesover.Thisisstillongoing.
ORDERTODISMANTLETHEBUDDHASTATUESANDTHEVISITOFARABSCHOLARSTOKANDAHAR
TheissueoftheBamiyanstatueswasinitiallyhighlightedin1997.MullahAbdulWahid,theTalibanmilitarycommanderofGhorbandandShebarTangiareas,toldthemediaonApril17,1997thattheywoulddestroytheBuddhastatuesiftheycapturedBamiyan.
KabulRadioalsoairedanasheed:
IwillbreaktheenemyofthisholyAfghanland,
IamfromthenationofIbrahim(Prophet),Iwillbreakthestatues.
WhentheissueofthestatueswasraisedbymullahsandTalibanleaders,itwassenttothejudiciaryinearly2001.ItwasthensharedwithMullahOmarinKandahar.
MullahMuhammadOmaraskedfortheopinionofIslamicscholarsregardingthestatues.Theyorderedthedestruction,andMullahOmarthenorderedthe
thestatues.Theyorderedthedestruction,andMullahOmarthenorderedthedismantlingofthestatues.AfghanistanwasalreadyfacingUSsanctionsandpressurefromaroundtheworld.Theinternationalmediaandpoliticalcirclesraisedthisissueasbeingakintoawar.
PakistansenttheirInteriorMinisterMoinuddinHaidertoKandaharwhoexpressedtheconcernsofhisgovernment.PakistanwasprobablytryingtostoptheAfghangovernmentfromtakingthisactionbecauseofoffersfromWesterncountries.HehadameetingwithMullahOmarwherehepresentedtherecommendationofthePakistanigovernmentnottodestroytheBuddhastatues.Hetalkedcarefullyaboutinternationalpressureandnegativepropaganda.
MullahOmarbrieflyinformedhimthatourlawisIslamicShariaandthereisanorderinShariatodestroystatues.Weareboundtoimplementourlaws.Theinteriorministersaid:MuslimslikeMahmudGhaznaviandAbdaliwereformerrulersherebuttheydidnotbreakthesestatues.MullahOmarsaidifIleavethem,Iwillbequestionedaboutthemondoomsday.TheinteriorministerintentionallymisinterpretedafewstatementsofMullahOmartohissuperiorsandforeigners.MoinuddinHaiderwasaShi’aandideologicallyhewasnotagainsttheTaliban.
AfterafewdaysexplosivesweresenttoBamiyantodemolishthestatues.ThedismantlingwashalfwaycompletedwhenadelegationoffamousscholarsvisitedKandaharontherequestofUNESCOandthroughthearbitrationoftheQatarigovernment.ThisdelegationwasledbyQatar’sForeignMinisterSheikhAhmadAbdullahZaidal-Mahmood,whowasaccompaniedbythefamousreligiouspersonalityYusufal-Qaradawi,theEgyptianGrandMuftiFaridWasil,theappealingcourtheadSheikhAbdulQadiral-EmariandtwootherIslamicscholarsfromEgypt,theEnvironmentProtectionUnitadvisoroftheWorldHealthOrganisationMuhammadHishamal-Khayat,IslamicResearchEgyptmemberSheikhMuhammadal-Rawi,andtheArabwriterFahmiHuwaidi,aswellasafewmembersoftheQatarForeignMinistry.
TheUNSecurityCouncilgavea48-hourdeadlinetocompletetheirvisittoKandahar.OnMarch11,2001,aQatariairplanelandedinKandahar.ThisVIPdelegationwasprovidedtheappropriateprotocol.Afewmilitaryofficialswerepresenttowelcomethem,andtheDeputyMinisterofForeignAffairswithafew
presenttowelcomethem,andtheDeputyMinisterofForeignAffairswithafewblackMercedesBenzcarswaswaitingforthemattheairportguesthouse.
TheguestsweretakentoasecureguesthouseoftheForeignAffairsministryinthecompoundarealocatedbetweenKandaharcityandtheairport.Thisguesthousewasfullyequippedandhadeverybasicfacility.
AbdulMateenIbrahimKhelandIweretheirhosts.Wesatwiththemuntilthelatehoursofthenight.AbdulMateenwasfluentinArabicandwehadsomegooddiscussions.QaradawiandhisfriendsdiscussedthecurrentsituationinAfghanistanandtheTalibansystemindetail.
TheTalibanwelcomedthemasrespectedguestsbecausetherewereIslamicscholarsataninternationallevelamongthem.TheythoughtthattheTalibanhadnotpracticallyimplementedtheirplantodemolishthestatuesandsowantedtomeetwiththeIslamicscholarsoftheSupremeCourt.
TheheadoftheSupremeCourtwasinformedthattheseguestswishedtomeethim,andsincetheywerethereforashortperiodandcouldnotvisitKabul,heshouldcometoKandahar.TheSupremeCourtChiefJusticeMawlawiNoorMuhammadSaqibandotherimportantofficialsbegantheirjourneybyroadintheeveningandreachedKandaharthenextafternoon.Afewhourswereleftforthegueststoreturntotheirplane.Thoughthisflightwasdelayedforalongtimepastthedeadline,thedelegationstillwantedtodepartbeforetheevening.WetookthegueststotheKandaharprovincialguesthouse.ThemeetingbeganandarepresentativeofthedelegationandMawlawiNoorMuhammadSaqib,representingthehosts,initiatedthediscussion.MuftiAbdulAliDeobandiwasalsosittingnexttohim.
MawlawiNoorMuhammadSaqibwelcomedtheguests.YusufQaradawithenprovidedabriefoftheirvisit,thatwearenotheretodebateoverthestatues.Ourpurposeistogiveyouhonestadviceaswehavesympathiesforyou.TheTalibanshouldn’tinvolvethemselvesinmoreissuesastheyarealreadyfacingtheworld’senmityandpressure.
Saqibsaid:WeareofficialsoftheShariacourt.IsitlegitimateaccordingtoShariarulestodemolishorleavethestatues?Qaradawisaid:IamalsoHanafilikeyou,andIalsoacceptthattheactualorderistodestroythestatues.Butthe
likeyou,andIalsoacceptthattheactualorderistodestroythestatues.ButthethingisthatinthecurrenttimeandsituationyouhavesomeShariaexemptions.Youshouldprioritiseotherreforms.
AfterlisteningtothisMuftiAbdulAliDeobandiunderstoodthattherewasnodebateoverdestroyingthestatues,soheleftthemeeting.
Thediscussioncontinued.Qaradawi’sstatementswerebasedonscholarlyevidence,butSaqibsaidthatwehavewaitedforalongtimeforthis.Thepresentconditionsaresuchthatwhetherweimplementourplanornot,theworldwillnotfindanydifferenceandeverythingisgoingagainstus.Wedonotseeitbeneficialifwestopfromdoingthis.SoitisbetterthatShariaordersareimplemented.Wearepeoplefromthejudiciary,itisthedutyoftheforeignministryandotherofficialstotackleourpoliticalissues.IfthereisanythingregardingShariaorders,thereisclearevidenceforthis.SaqibalsogavethemseveralreferencesaboutthisandalsointerpretedaquoteofIbnal-Qaimal-Jawziforthem.
Themeetingendedintheafternoon,andtherewasverylittletimelefttotheirdeparture.ThemeetingwithMullahOmarwasnotpossible.Osamawasalsoallowedtohaveashortmeetingwithhim,buthewasonhiswaytotheairportwhentheplanedeparted.
ItwascleartoMullahOmar,Islamicscholars,andtheTalibanthatnoonecanworshipthesestatues.InIslamiccountriesthesestatuesarenotcommonorcouldbeanideologicalthreattoIslam,butitwasseenandinterpreteddifferentlybythereligiousclass.Buddhismwasthereligionofthisarea(centralAfghanistan)beforeIslam.Manyloversofcultureareproudoftheirslogansofinfidelityandignorance,andlovethosethingsthatwererespectedbeforeIslamashistoricalmonuments.ThisactisnotallowedaccordingtoIslamicSharia.
Ifthesetypesofmonumentswereallowed,ProphetMuhammad(peacebeuponhim)wouldhaveleftanystatueinMeccawiththesameintention.InsomeIslamiccountriesthereareafewpeoplewholovecultureandconsidertheirpre-IslamicignorancetobemorerespectedthantheIslamicera.LikeinEgypt,afewrespectthePharaoh;inIran,afewstillrespectZoroastrianismandconsideritholy.EveninAfghanistanthereareloversofZoroaster.TheTalibanbannedthe
holy.EveninAfghanistanthereareloversofZoroaster.TheTalibanbannedthecelebrationofNowruz(NewYear)becauseitistheEidofZoroastriansandweonlyhavetwoEidsinIslam.
REFORMINGTHEINDECENTCULTUREREGARDINGWOMEN
InPashtunandAfghansociety,killingsduetorivalryandtribalenmityisveryunfortunate.Tribaleldersalwaystriedtostopthisthroughtraditionaljirgas.Theeasiestwaytoreconciliationistomarrythedaughterorsisterofthemurderer’sfamilywithamemberoftheaffectedfamily.
Thisprocesseliminateshostilitybutontheotherhanditbecomesagamewithaninnocent,oppressedhumanatstake,sincethesewomenaregivenlikeacommodityascompensation.IfShariaruleisenforcedthenthereisnoneedforsuchindecentactions.DuringtheTaliban’srulemostofthesepersonalconflictswerecontrolledduetotheblessingsofSharialaw.IfanyonewantedtokillanotherpersonthenthegovernmentimplementedtheSharialawofQisasthroughtheShariacourt.Ifthecriminalwasleftalivethenheisvoluntarilyforgivenbythevictim’sfamily.
SimilarlyinPashtunandAfghansocietythereisanindecentcultureregardingwidows,asinmanyfamiliestheyarenotallowedtomakedecisionsabouttheirlives.Thefamilymakesadecisionabouthermarriage,regardlessofwhethersheacceptsorornot.Sheiseithermarriedtoachild,ortoanoldman,orispreventedfromgettingmarried.OnSeptember11,1998,MullahMuhammadOmarissuedaspecialdecreethatnoonecanforcewomentomarrybasedonthedecisionofafamilyorajirga.Similarly,awomancanmarryanyoneshelikes,orifshedoesn’twanttogetmarriednoneofthefamilymemberscanforceher.Additionally,adultgirlswereallowedtomarryoftheirownwillbasedonHanafijurisprudence.ThisstirreduptheangeroftheculturedclassagainsttheTaliban,andmanyincidentstookplaceinvolvinggirlswhosecretlyvisitedcourtsandmarriedmenoftheirchoicewithouttheconsentoftheirfamily.Thepolicestationsformallyinformedthosefamiliesaboutthesemarriagesandcalledonthemtoacceptthisdecision.
OnceamanfromKandahar’sLoyaWiyalaareacamebybicycletotheKandaharpolicestationwithagirlhelikedwithoutinformingtheirfamilies.Thefamilyofthegirlwasmeetingwithanothermanforhermarriage,sotostopthis
familyofthegirlwasmeetingwithanothermanforhermarriage,sotostopthisthecoupleescapedtothepolicestation.Theycontactedthecourtandtheirmarriagewasannouncedthenextday.Therewerehundredsofsimilarincidents.
ADOPTINGTHELUNARCALENDAR
InAfghanistan,Iran,andTajikistan,itistheculturetoofficiallyusethesolarcalendar.Allgovernmentworkwascarriedoutaccordingtothiscalendar.ItwasactuallyarrangedhundredsofyearsagobytherulersofKhorasanandPersian-speakingrulers.ThefirstdayofthiscalendarisknownasNowruz.ThiswasadayofcelebrationdatingbacktotheancientGreeksandZoroastrians,andwasalsolikedbysunworshippersbecausethisyearwasknownasthenewyearofthesolaryearinsteadofthelunaryear.ThisyearaccordingtoonestandardisalsoknownasIslamicbecauseitbeganwiththeProphet’smigrationdayonHijra.
Thelunarcalendarstartswiththeriseofthemoon;afewmonthsareof29daysandothersare30days.Inthesolarcalendareverymonthhas30days.
OnMarch5,1998,adecreeofMullahOmarwasissuedstatingthatfromthatdayonward,allAfghangovernmentworkwillbecarriedoutaccordingtotheHijrilunarcalendar.TheTalibanmadethiscalendarofficialintheirdepartments.
AfterthisdecreetheTalibanannouncedabanonNowruzcelebrationsanddeclaredthistonotbeIslamic.TheseniorTalibanMuftiSheikhAbdulAliDeobandialsoannouncedontheradiothattheNowruzcelebrationisnotIslamic.Similarly,thereisnorealitytoashrinecalledSakhiinMazarcityattributedtothefourthCaliphofIslamHazratAli(MayAllahbepleasedwithhim)asAli’sgraveisinIraq’sKufacityandnotinMazarcity.TheseannouncementsincreasedthecriticismoftheTalibanbyafewculturalandliberalgroups.
DISTINCTIVEDRESSANDSYMBOLSFORNON-MUSLIMS
Accordingtoreligiousjurisprudence,non-MuslimsshouldhaveadistrictandidentifiabledresscodesothattheyarerecognisedassuchandaredistinguishablefromMuslims.Until2001,therewereonlyafewSikhsandHinduswhowerelivingasnon-MuslimcitizensinAfghanistan.Therewas
anotherissuethatinthemarkets,thereligiouspoliceneededtoidentifynon-Muslimstoexemptthemfromreligiousrules.
Thisdecreewascriticisedinternationallyeventhoughitwasonlyannouncedandnotactuallyimplemented.
Chapter7:Downfall
THEUSANDRUSSIANALLIANCEAGAINSTTHETALIBANANDINTERNATIONALMUJAHEDEEN
Aftertheimpositionofinternationalsanctions,theTalibantookstepstowardslegalandnationalsovereignty.MullahOmarstronglybelievedthattheUSanditsallieswouldnotlettheTalibangovernmenttobeinapeacefulandsustainablepositionatanycost.Secondly,in2000,theCIAalongwithRussia,France,andIranalsostartedsupportingMassoudandhisalliance.ThisallianceencouragedandincreasedtheUnitedStates’enmitytowardstheTaliban.
Pakistanwasalsoonthebackfoot,andSaudiArabiawassupportingAmerica.TheSaudiintelligenceministerTurkial-FaisalsworeinameetingthathewouldmakeeveryeffortforthecollapseoftheTalibangovernmentbecauseMullahOmarinsultedhim.
In2000theTalibanbackedoutoftheirpromisewiththeworldtocontrolal-Qaeda.Thelimitationsimposedonthemwerereduced,andthepolicyofcontrolwasalmostended,whichledtomanyal-Qaeda-affiliatedpeoplefromArabcountriescomingtoAfghanistanwiththeirfamilies.ThetrainingcampswerealsoreopenedwhereArabicnasheedswereplayedandArabfoodanddrinkswereserved.
MullahOmardidnotexpectthattheinternationalpressurewoulddecreaseandtheconditionswouldbecomenormal,sohewelcomedinternationaljihadis.OpportunitieswereprovidedtoUzbeksaswellalongwithArabs.JumaNamanganiwaswelcomed,buttheTalibanwerecarefulaboutUighurmilitants.Theywerelessthanahundredinnumberandonlypermittedtolivehere,butChinawasstillworriedabouttheUighur.ManyofficialswerenotabletorecognisethemandconsideredthemaspartoftheUzbekgroupsincetheyhadnoseparategrouportrainingcamp.
TherecognitionofChechnyawasalsopartofthenewpolicy.Inearly2001,due
TherecognitionofChechnyawasalsopartofthenewpolicy.Inearly2001,duetoMutawakkil’sefforts,RahmatullahHashemifromtheMinistryofForeignAffairsvisitedtheUS.Whenhecameback,heconveyedthemessageofAmericanstoMullahOmartocontrolOsamabinLaden.
MullahOmarangrilysaid:Americansarebusymakingapoliticalandmilitaryallianceagainstus.Theyhaveblockedlandandairroutesforusandareplanningourelimination.Theyarestillmakingdemandsfromus,andforwhatpositiveactionsshouldwehelpthem?
In2001,MassoudvisitedEuropeandtheCIAstoppedfundingtheopposition.Ontheotherhand,anti-TalibancommandersinDubaiandPakistanwereorganisedandmeetingswereongoing.HamidKarzaiwasbusyinQuetta.InPeshawar,theeasternregioncommanderswereorganisedunderAbdulHaq’sleadership.TheTalibanwereawareofalltheseplans.
AtthattimetheTalibanwereexpectingacovertattackfromtheUSthatwouldusetheirtechnologyandmoney,andtheoppositioncommanderswouldwageawaragainsttheTaliban.TheArabsandal-QaedaconsideredAhmedShahMassoudasamainmilitarycommanderoftheinvadersatthetime,andsotheyhadaplantoassassinatehimwhichtheyimplementedwhiletheTalibanwereunaware.
EFFORTSTOFORMANAFGHANALLIANCEAGAINSTTHETALIBAN
Inearly2001,theCIAarrangedjirgasinDubai,Pakistan,Tajikistan,andinthewesternareasbetweenformercommandersandAfghanslivingabroadwhowereagainsttheTaliban.TherewasswiftprogressineffortstoestablishinternalmilitarywargroupsagainsttheTaliban.IntheeventthattheywouldemergevictoriousovertheTaliban,thegroupswouldbecomethenationalestablishmentsothatUSinterferencewasnotapparent.
InJulyandAugust,commanderAbdulHaqgatheredthecommandersandfamouspersonalitiesfromtheeasternandcentralregionsinDubai.Theparticipantswereencouragedtojointhiscoalitionwithpromisesandoffersofmoneyandpositionsinanewgovernment.AbdulHaqsaidtothecommanders:AmericahasstrongintentionstocausethecollapseoftheTalibangovernmentsowemusttakeadvantageofthisopportunity.
wemusttakeadvantageofthisopportunity.
AbdulHaqmadetheirtravelarrangementsandalsogavethemsomemoneyasagift.AcommanderfromKabulwhowasnotawareoftheactualtopicathanddisagreedwithAbdulHaqandrefusedtotakethemoney.AfterhisreturnhesharedthisstorywiththeAfghanistanConsulatestaffinPeshawar.
InQuetta,HamidKarzaiandGulAghaSherzaimetwiththecommandersofKandahar,HelmandandUruzgananddistributedmoneyamongthem.AbdulHaq’sbrotherHajiAbdulQaderwasbusywithMassoud,whilehisotherbrotherHajiDeenMuhammadwasengagingwithmullahsandformerjihadisforthisalliance.
AhmadShahMassoud,Dostum,andIsmailKhan–whohadpoliticalandmilitarysupportfromRussia,Iran,andnortherncountries–werelookingforwardtotheirvictoryovertheTaliban,withtheexpectedhugemilitaryandfinancialsupportoftheCIAforthepastyear.TheirfriendshipwiththeCIAwasnew.MullahOmarappointedMutawakkilasMinisterofForeignAffairsaftertheimpositionofUSsanctionsagainstAfghanistanandtaskedhimwithreducingtensionswithwesterncountries.InhisefforttodothishealsosentadelegationtoAmericawhichdidnotreturnwithapositiveoutcome.
TheTalibanwerealsopreparingeffectivelyagainstthisinternalUSalliance.Arabandforeignmujahideenweregoodsupportersaswell,andthissupportwasmuchneeded.Afewimportantal-Qaedamemberswerealsoawareofthisalliance,andintheirmeetingsafewhadhopedforanearlierattackagainsttheUS.
MURDEROFAHMADSHAHMASSOUD
InJuly2001,threeArabscametoKandaharasjournalists.TheyintroducedthemselvesasBelgiansofTunisianorigin.TheylivedintheguesthouseofArabscalledDaral-Isma.TheyrequestedaninterviewwithMutawakkil.Whiletheywerebeingtakenthere,theywerestoppedneartheKandahardirectorateoftheAmrbilMaroofintheMudatSquarearea.Sincetheywereclean-shavenandwearingtrousers,theyweretakenoutofthevehicles.
TheyintroducedthemselvesasArabsbuttheAmrbilMaroofhadneverseenclean-shavenArabsinKandahar.Thetelevisioncameraatthebackofthecaralsoraisedaquestion.ButsincetheyweregoingtointerviewMutawakkilitwasnotveryproblematic.
UnusualguestsofthiskindalwaysreceivedaletterfromtheMinistryofForeignAffairstoavoidissuesfromAmrbilMaroofandsecurityofficials.Buttheyhadnodocuments,andtheywereeventuallyreleasedbecausetheywereMutawakkil’sguests.
TheyintroducedthemselvestoMutawakkil:“IamAbidandmycolleagueisKarim.WeareTunisia-originBelgiansandweworkinBelgiumwith‘Al-Marsadal-Islamilil-Aalam’news.TheirthirdcolleagueAbuHaniwasEgyptian,andhisrealnamewasMuhannadShabana.DuringthejihadagainstUSSRhewasinchargeofSayyaf’smagazineAl-Bunyanal-Marsus.Hewasfamiliarwithformermujahideen,especiallySayyaf.
TheythenwentontoKabul,andreceivedaletterfromtheDeputyMinisterofForeignAffairstheretocrosstheTalibanareaandintoPanjshir.AbuHaniintroducedthesepeopletoSayyaf.TheyinitiallyinterviewedSayyafandthenwentontoMassoud.TheinterviewwassetintheKhawajaBahauddinareaofTakhar.WhentheinterviewstartedtheydetonatedtheexplosivesintheircameraandkilledMassoud.
OnSeptember9,RussianInterfaxnewsspreadthenewsoftheblasttargetingMassoud.ButwehadrepeatedlyheardaboutMassoud’sdeath.EvenduringthewarbetweenHekmatyarandMassoud,HizbspokespeoplespreadreportsaboutMassoud’sdeathseveraltimes.Trustingthisnewsimmediatelywasverydifficult.Theattackwasconfirmedthenextday,butMassoud’sspokespersonAbdullahAbdullahdeniedhisdeath.InaninterviewwiththeBBChemadeaverystrangestatement:“Heisalivebutwearenotreleasinganyrecordingsofhisvoice.”
CIAandRussianintelligencereceivedthisinformationimmediately.AmrullahSalehwasspecificallyassignedthetasktocommunicatewiththeCIA.HecalledtheCIAbaseandinformedtheirleadershipabouthisdeathandaskedtheirrecommendationforanalternateleader.
recommendationforanalternateleader.
MullahOmarandotherofficialswerenotawareoftheactualsituation.IreceivedcallsfromjournalistsandaskedMullahOmarforinstruction.Hesaid;Wearenotawareofthereality,wearenotinvolvedinthisact,andwehavenoideaaboutthemurderers.Wealsodonotshowourhappinessaboutthisincident.
Isharedthesestatementswiththemedia.
MullahAkhtarMuhammadMansoorwasthentheairforcecommanderandreceivedaconformationofMassoud’sfuneraldateandtime.Hepreparedtheairforceforanairattackonthefuneral,andrequestedMullahOmar’spermissionaskeycommanderslikeSayyaf,Rabbani,andFahimwereattendingthefuneral.
MullahAkhtarMansoortoldhisofficein-chargeMuhibullahGaramsiri:WhenIaskedMullahOmarthatwearereadytobombthefuneralasalltheoppositionleaderswillbethere,MullahOmarsaid:“MullahAkhtarMuhammad,youdon’tleavethembeevenfordeath?”MullahMansoorinstructedtheairforcecommandthattheoperationwascancelled.
SEPTEMBER11ATTACKSONTHEUNITEDSTATES
IwasintheofficeintheafternoonwhenafriendfromGermanycalled.HeaskedifIwasawareoftheongoingattacksinNewYork.Iaskedhimwhatkindofattacks.HesaidIdonotunderstandbutanaeroplanehashitabigbuildingbymistakeordeliberately,butinternationaltelevisionchannelsareshowingafireinahugebuildingandworriedpeoplerunningeverywhere.Onlythisnewsisalloverthemedia.InAfghanistanweonlyhadwesternradiochannels,andthelocalmediabroadcastnewsfromtimetotime.Noradiostationwasbroadcastingnewsatthetime,andtherewasadelayinthebroadcastforBBCandVoiceofAmerica.
WeonlyhadinternetattheEmirate’scentralofficeandtherewerenosatellitedishfacilitiesthere.WereceivedphonecallsfromdifferentpeopleandweheardupdatedinformationthatthePentagonandtheWorldTradeCentrehadbeenattacked.
IinformedMullahOmarviatheradioabouttheattacksontheUSbuthehadalreadybeeninformedbytheMinistryofForeignAffairs.Hesaid:Ialready
alreadybeeninformedbytheMinistryofForeignAffairs.Hesaid:IalreadyhavethenewsbutIdonotknowwhatisgoingon.MayGodhavemercyonus.
IwenttoMullahOmar’soffice.TayyabAghaandotherfriendswerefollowingthenewsonline.IvisitedtheCNNofficelaterandwatchedtheentireincidentviasatellitedishonCNNandAlJazeera.
Theimmediateactionwastocondemnthisincident.Wecondemneditthroughthepress.MullahOmarsentamessagetoOsamabinLadentoannouncehewasnotinvolvedinthisincident.Osamadeclaredhewasn’tassociatedwithitbutontheotherhandheaddedthatheisveryhappy.ThisstatementwasunacceptableandacauseforconcernforMullahOmar.
MawlawiMutawakkiltoldtheinternationalmediathatwecondemnthisincidentandrequesttheUStobetolerantuntiltheevidenceisfound.
WhentheUSblamedOsamatheconditionschanged.TheTalibanfacedhugecrises,andMullahOmarandotherofficialshadnosolutions.
Afewal-QaedaexpertsandAfghanprofessorslivingoutsidethecountryinformedusabouttheincreaseofmonitoringsatellitesoverKandahar.ThepresenceofUSsatelliteswasnotnewforus,butasatellitethatlookedlikeglowingstarswasalsoidentifiedwhichwasobservedintheevening.Itsometimesstoppedandsometimesitmovedaround.Itslightwasartificial,itwasnotconstantlikethatofstars,andsometimesitdisappeared.Wehaddiscussionsaboutthisbutwedidnotbelieveitcompletely.ItwasnotpossibletoignoreitduetotheexpectedUSattack.
MEETINGOFISLAMICSCHOLARSINKABULREGARDINGBINLADEN
TheUSPresidentGeorgeBushexpresslyaskedtheAfghangovernmenttohandoverOsamabinLadenortheywouldattackAfghanistan.Therewasdifferentadviceandopinionscirculatingamongofficials.MullahOmarsaid:Wedonotacceptanythingifwedieorlive.WewillfindaShariasolutionforthis.
HethendecidedtopassonthisissuetoIslamicscholarsandhearwhattheyhadtosay.AgrandmeetingofIslamicscholarsonthecountrylevelwasheldinKabul.Afterdiscussionsoverthecourseoftwodays,theycametoadecisionthatOsamabinLadenshouldleaveAfghanistanwillinglybutexpellinghimby
thatOsamabinLadenshouldleaveAfghanistanwillinglybutexpellinghimbyforceorhandinghimovertoothersisagainstIslamicSharia.TheyalsosaidthatifAmericaattacksAfghanistan,itisobligatorytocarryoutjihadagainsttheUS.
Ontheotherhand,theAmericanssaidthatnosolutionwasacceptabletothem.IfOsamaleavesAfghanistan,theAfghangovernmentisanswerabletotheUS.Sinceheiswiththem,theywouldhavetohandhimoverhandcuffedalongwithhisfriends.
MullahOmarsaidthattheAmericanswillnotbesatisfiedevenifheleavesAfghanistan.IfweresisttheUSinvasionandremainsteadfastonourstance,itisbetterthansurrenderingtothem.WewonttellOsamatoleaveorhandhimover.Americaisnotgoingtospareusforshowinganypliability.Islam,asenseofbeingAfghanorhumanpridedoesn’tallowustofulfiltheirdemands.
PAKISTANIDELEGATION’SVISITTOKANDAHAR
AmonthbeforetheUSbombardmentofAfghanistan,thePakistanArmychiefGeneralPervezMusharrafaskedtheTalibantohandoverOsamabinLadenorwaitforthecollapseoftheTalibangovernment.
ThePakistanintelligencechiefGeneralMahmudvisitedKandaharandmetwithMullahMuhammadOmarintheEmirate’snewbuilding.AbdulGhafoorAfghani,anofficialoftheMinistryofForeignAffairs,servedasinterpreter.GeneralMahmudlookedsimilartoimagesofAllamaIqbal.Hewasanintelligentman.Hegavesolidreasonsandreferredtointernationalandhistoricalissuesinhisstatements.HeshowedanabhorrenceofthewestanddisplayedagreatdealofrespectforMullahOmar.HecarefullylistenedtoMullahOmar.
DuringthediscussionGeneralMahmudsaid:Americaisaverybigmilitaryandeconomicpower,andislookingforanyopportunitytocomethisthisregion.NochanceshouldbeprovidedtotheUS.HesaidthattheUSispreparingforastrongresponsetotheSeptember11attacksandnowhasaneasyexcuse.Mahmudgavetheexampleofawolfandabuffalo–abuffalowasdrinkingwaterfromthedownstream,buttheworldwaslookingforanexcusetoattacksohesaidwhyhaveyoucontaminatedthewater.Anotherexamplehegavewasthatwhenabullbecomesangry,thebestwaytoprotectoneselfistomakethebullrunaroundinabiggroundsothatittires.Thereisapossibilitytonormalisetheenvironment.
theenvironment.
MullahOmarsaid:TheUShashadintentionsofeliminatingusforafewyears.ThemissileattacksonKhostandeconomicsanctionsonAfghanistanwereastart.TheUScannottolerateourpresenceandsystem.Welookedforasolutionandtryingforamiddleroad,butAmericaonlytalksabouttheuseofpower.Ifweaccepttheirillegaldemands,itisnotconfirmedthattheywillstillleaveusalone.Weunderstandthattheycanbadlydamageusbuttheirdemandsaremoredevastatingforourreligionandfaithandthisisadeviationfromourgoalsandobjectives.IcannotstepbackbyevenaninchagainstmyShariaresponsibilitiesevenifIlosemylifeandthissystem.IcannotacceptanythingthatisnotpermissibleintheSharia.Nevertheless,wewereandandarereadyforbilateralnegotiations,butiftheUSinvadeswewillfightthemtilltheendwithfullforce.
GeneralMahmudwentbacktoPakistanafteralengthydiscussion.Afterafewdays,BrigadierSultan,MajorGul,andanothergeneralvisitedalongwithfamousIslamicscholarswhohadreligiousandeducationalinfluenceovertheTaliban.ThisincludedtheheadoftheWifaqul-Madaris(religiousschoolsboard)MaulanaSaleemullahKhan,Sheikhul-HadithMaulanaHassanJan,MuftiMuhammadTaqiUsmani,andMaulanaSherAli.ThemeetingofIslamicscholarswasheldinaseparateroomandnoneofthePakistaniofficialsparticipated.SayyedTayyabAgha,afewotherfriendsandIattendedthemeeting.TaqiUsmaniandMaulanaSaleemullahdidnotunderstandPashto,andSheikhul-HadithSherAliShahhelpedatranslator.
MullahMuhammadOmarfirstwelcomedthemandthenthescholarsbegantheirdiscussion.MuftiTaqiUsmanigavestrongreasonsforthesurvivaloftheIslamicsystem,thecurrentcriticalsituationandsaidthatthisisanIslamicsystemandenemiesaretryingtocauseitscollapse,soeverywayshouldberesearchedtopreventthis.HeaddedthatallMuslimswillbeaffectedbythisinvasionsoweshouldfindasuitablesolutiontotheissueofOsamabinLaden.MaulanaSaleemullahKhantalkedsympatheticallytoMullahOmaranddiscussedwaystoavoidtheUSinvasion.
Theconcernsanddiscussionsofthesescholarswasveryimportant,andwasbasedonrealityaccordingtomyobservations.ButtheyhadnothingtosayaftertheshortresponseofMullahOmar,whospoketotheminaveryrespectfulway.
theshortresponseofMullahOmar,whospoketotheminaveryrespectfulway.
MullahOmarsaid:AllofmyworkisbasedontheadviceofIslamicscholars.YouaremuchmorefamiliarwithIslamthanIam;wearelikeyourstudents.ButthethingisthatallofAllah’sprophetswereobligatedtocarryoutAllah’sreligion.SimilarlyeveryMuslimleaderandIamobligated.IwillfollowwhatIslamhaspermitted;howcananswerAllahaboutthis?Allahhasgivenmethirtymujahideen(referringtothebeginningoftheTalibanmovement)atthattimeItrustedAllahandfollowedresponsibilities,buttodaywhenIamtherulerofacountry,howcanIturnmybackonashari’aresponsibilityforthesurvivalofmygovernment?
TheAmericanswillnowacceptanythingovertheissueofOsama.Thereareonlytwoways:eitherIhandhimover,ortheywillinvade.HoweverevenifwehandoverOsamathereisnoguaranteethattheUSwillnotinvade.Canyounowgivemeareligiousverdictabouthishandover?
Allofthemsaidthatwecannotgiveaverdictaboutthis.MullahOmarsaid:Thereisnoothersolution.HandinghimovertoSaudiArabiaissimilartohandinghimovertoAmericaastheywillalsohandhimovertotheUSandtheyareaskingforhimbasedonUSorders.AsIamnotpermittedbyAfghanIslamicscholars,similarlyyouandactualscholarsfromtheworldcannotpermitmeasthisisnotallowedasperIslam.Iamobligedtogiveeverykindofsacrifice.IdonotcareaboutmylifeandsystemandIwillcontinuejihadagainstinvadersuntiltheendofmylife.
AfterthisresponsefromMullahOmar,alltheIslamicscholarswerequiet.MaulanaSaleemullahKhanweptandsaid“MayAllahhelpyouandgiveusmartyrdom.”Afterthemeeting,GeneralMahmudrequestedaone-on-onemeetingwithMullahOmar,andtheymetinaseparateroom.Thetranslator–whoisstillliving–saysthatGeneralMahmudwassittinginfrontofMullahOmarandrequestedtomeetOsamaashebelievedthatmeetinghimwouldsolvemanyofourproblems.MullahOmardidnotlikethisashebecamesuspicious,andrespondedinthenegativesayingthattheconditionsarenotfavourabletomeethim.
Whileleaving,GeneralMahmudstronglyhuggedMullahOmarandsaid:“IfI
Whileleaving,GeneralMahmudstronglyhuggedMullahOmarandsaid:“IfIamhere,therewillnotbeaninvasionandifthereisaninvasionIwillnotbehere.”WhenMusharrafannouncedhissupportfortheUSinvasionofAfghanistan,GeneralMahmudresigned.
AftermeetingthePakistanidelegation,MutawakkiltoldMullahOmaronceagainthatthebestsolutionistohandoverOsamabinLadenasMutawakkilthoughtthatthedelegationofPakistanischolarswouldfindasolution.Butwhenhewasdisappointed,hepersonallyrecommendedthis.MullahOmarsmilinglysaid‘no’anddidnotacceptthisplan.
WhenwecamebacktoMullahOmar’spublicationoffice,MullahGhazi,afriendofMullahOmar’swhowasanexpertinoperatingStingermissiles,gotangryinadiscussionaboutwhyStingermissilescouldnothitUSplanes.WehadreceivedinformationthatStingermissilescouldnothitUSplanes,butMullahGhazitermedthisamistake.HetoldafriendAhmadJanAhmadi:“Friend,wewilldowntenUSjetsonthefirstday.”
USINVASION
IwenttomyvillageafewdaysafterthePakistanidelegation’svisit.OnOctober7,Ipreparedmyselftoreturnaftertheholiday.Ilefthomeintheearlymorning,andneartheSpedaChawdareaIheardtheheavyroarofaeroplanes.Peoplewerelookingtowardsthesky.Ithoughtthatperhapsanaeroplanehadcrashed.IreachedtheofficeinKandaharat8am.
Therewasnooneintheoffice.Theglasswindowswerebrokenandthesmelloffreshexplosiveshadmadetheenvironmentwild.Beforegettingoffthecar,IcalledTayyabAghaonthefirstradiochannel,usingtheradiocode:Ahmad!Ahmad!Herepliedinalowtone:Ibrat(usingthecode),Icanhearyou,whereareyou?IsaidIwasintheoffice.Hequicklyresponded:‘Comeoutoftheoffice,thebombardmentisstillcontinuing.’Theofficewasbombedandtherewasstillachanceofbombardment.Iquicklyleftthebuilding.
Helatertoldmehislocationontheradio.AtemporaryofficewasestablishedinabuildingneartheKandaharsportsground.IwentthereandafterexchanginggreetingsIfirstaskedaboutMullahOmar.TayyabAghasaidthathewasfineandonlyhisunclehadbeenmartyred.HemovedhisfamilyoutsidethecitytoArghandab.Hewasnotleavinghisplaceandsaid‘Iwilldiethere,whereitis
Arghandab.Hewasnotleavinghisplaceandsaid‘Iwilldiethere,whereitiswritten(fate).’Butheleftthebuildingonhisfriends’insistence.Onthewaytherewasaerialbombardment,buthesurvived.
TheStingermissileswerenotworkingagainstUSplanes.MullahGhaziwasfeelingdowncast,andlookingfearfullyatthesky.TherewasdeadlybombardmentbyUSforces,andineverycityspieswerecapturedwithsatellitephones.AfewtriballeadersandformercommandersbeingpaidmoneybytheUSwerewaitingfortheendresultsofthebombardmentandmovingslowly.MullahOmarwasreceivingthesereports.
Likeinotherpartsofthecountry,Kandahar’sairspacewasdominatedbyradioannouncementsbyUSforces.ThespeakerswerenotPashtuns,andevenafewPashto-speakingAmericanswhoweremakingthreateningannouncementsinincorrectPashto.TheywereusingabusivelanguageforMullahOmar.Americansandtheirsupportersareexpertatspecialpropagandaagainsttheirmilitaryandpoliticalopponents.TheyfalselypropagatedagainstQaddafi,SaddamHussein,OmarBashir,HugoChavez,Chineseleaders,andIranianspiritualleaders.TheyarenowpropagatingagainsttheTurkishleaderRecepErdoğan.TheirstatementsaboutMullahOmarinAfghansocietyweremeaninglessandlaughable.ForexampleinoneoftheannouncementsitwasrepeatedthatMullahOmarisenjoyinghimselfwithhiswives.ThisisnotconsideredwronginIslamicandAfghansociety.
THEARRESTANDMURDEROFCOMMANDERABDULHAQ
OnApril4,2001,AhmadShahMassoudhadvisitedEuropeontherequestoftheEuropeanParliament.HeopenlyparticipatedindifferentmeetingsandalsoheldsecretmeetingswithUSandEuropeanintelligenceandmadecommitments.TheTalibanleadershipreceivedthisnewsthattheUSandherEuropeansupporterswanttomakeaneffectivecoalitionforcecomprisingoppositionmilitiasandformercommandersagainsttheTaliban.Thisforcewillhavemoreresourcesandwillbeprovidedmorewarequipmentalongwithmoney,andtheywouldevenbesupportedbyUSSpecialForcesandaeroplanes.
MeanwhiletheTalibanwerefacingUSeconomicsanctions,enemypropagandaanddiplomaticisolation.Ontheotherhand,theTalibanwereexposedtothisseriousthreat.TheTalibanfocusedonthisandbeganeffortstomonitorthe
seriousthreat.TheTalibanfocusedonthisandbeganeffortstomonitortheactivitiesandplansofothergroupsoractorsinthecountry.ThisincludedHamidKarzaiinthesouthernprovinces,AhmadShahMassoudandDostuminthenorth,andcommanderAbdulHaqinthecentralandeasternprovinceswhowereopenlyengagedinsuchactivities.
AbdulHaqandKarzaiwerenotopenlyenemiesoftheTalibanbutafterthenewUSprojecttheywerequicklypreparingthemselves.TheyheldmeetingsinPakistan,IranandtheUAEanddistributedmoneyamongwarcommandersandtribalelderstoexpandthisgroup.CommanderAbdulHaqarrangedasecretmeetingforimportantpowerfulcommandersattheHyattRegencyhotelinDubai.Theymadetheirtravelarrangementsinadvance.AbdulHaqandhisbrotherHajiQadeerhadofficesandbusinessesinvariouscountriesincludinginDubai,andsoitwaseasyforthemtoarrangeprogrammes.
Afewcommanderswereinvitedtothissecretmeetingwhowereunawareoftheactualtopic.ThisincludedakeycommanderofKabulprovincewhorevealedthissecrettotheTalibanashedidnotagreewiththeissue.ThiswasthereasonthattheTalibanstoodagainstAbdulHaqfromthebeginning.WhentheUSinvadedAfghanistanonOctober7,2001,afterafewmonthsAbdulHaqenteredAfghanistanthroughPakistan’sParachinarareaasplanned.HeinitiallyenteredtheTeraiMangalarea,movedtotheAryubZazaiareaandfromtherewentontoLogar’sAzradistrict.Heencouragedhistribalpeople,triballeadersandcommanderstofightagainsttheTalibanbyofferingthemmoney.
ThereweretwochannelsfortheTalibantogetinformationaboutAbdulHaq.OnewasveryeffectivewhichmonitoredAbdulHaqfromPeshawaruntilAzradistrict.Butlateronhewasnotmonitoredproperly.TheothersurprisechannelwastheLogarpoliceandintelligence,whichimmediatelycapturedAbdulHaq.
THEFIRSTPLANNEDCHANNEL
WhentheTalibanfocusedonAbdulHaqaftertheDubaimeeting,theybeganeffortstomonitorhim.ShortlybeforetheUSinvasioncommanderAbdulHaqacceleratedthedistributionofmoneyprovidedbytheCIAtoorganisehiscommandersandsupportersinPeshawar.TheTalibanofficiallytaskedthedistrictgovernorofHesaraktojoinAbdulHaqandmonitorhisroutineactivities.ThisdistrictgovernorwaspresentatandmonitoredmeetingswithAbdulHaqin
ThisdistrictgovernorwaspresentatandmonitoredmeetingswithAbdulHaqinPeshawarandreportedbacktotheNangarharintelligencedirectorateintheevening.Thereweretwolow-levelTalibanofficialsaswellwhoweremeetingAbdulHaqandkeepingitsecretfromMullahOmar.AformermujahidofcommanderAbdulHaqwasworkingasalaboureratahoneybeesfarminHaripur,KhyberPakhtunkhwa.WiththesupportofaformerHizb-eIslamicommanderhewasconvincedtojoinAbdulHaqandregularlyprovideinformationtotheTaliban.HereportedtotheTalibanaboutCommanderAbdulHaq’sactivitiesfromPeshawartoAzra,andwasincontactwiththeNangarharintelligencedirectorate.AftertheUSinvasion,AbdulHaq,likeothercommanders,wantedtoaplayasupportingroletoUSforcesinthesurroundingsofKabul,LogarandNangarhar.HeselectedLogar’sAzradistrictandHesarakinNangarhar.AbdulHaqwasafraidofNangarharofficialsandintelligencefromthestart,andsohepreferredtoenterAfghanistanthroughParachinarinsteadofNangarharandKunar.AfterhereachedAzra,theTalibanverycarefullymonitoredAbdulHaqsothathecouldn’tescapealive.UntilthenonlyNangarharintelligenceknewofhisarrival.TheTalibanSpecialForcesreachedafewareasofHesaraktomonitorhim.
ACCIDENTALCHANNEL
WhiletheNangarharintelligencewasbusyincapturingAbdulHaqinHesarak,onOctober4theLogarGovernorMawlawiZiaur-RahmanMadaniinvitedhispolicecommanderandsaidUShelicoptershadlandedinAzrawithforces.UntilthennoonehadseenUSforcesandtheTalibanwishedtodirectlyfacetheminbattle.
Thepolicecommanderarrangedawarbattalionurgentlyandwenttotheintelligencedirectorate.HerequestedtheintelligencechiefMuhammadInshaMakhbatforafewheavymachinegunsandwhenhewasaskedwhy,hetoldhimabouttheUShelicopters.Theintelligencechiefsaid‘IfUShelicoptersandforceshavelanded,howcanIsithere?Iwilldefinitelygo.’TheyarrangedafewvehiclesofmilitantsandmovedtowardsAzra.TheyreachedLogar’sDobandiareaandtheirsupportersreachedMatokoray.TheysentthemamessagethattherearenoUShelicopters;commanderAbdulHaqhasvisitedandisequippingpeopleagainsttheTalibanbydistributingmoneyamongthem.
ThepoliceandintelligencechiefreachedHajiZarghoon’svillage.HajiZarghoonslaughteredsheepfortheTaliban.Adaybefore,AbdulHaqhadvisitedHajiZarghoonandaskedhimforsupportagainsttheTalibaninexchangeforahugeamountofmoney.ButZarghoonveryrudelycalledhimunconscionableandatraitortothecountry.
ThenextmorningagroupofTalibaninDakarai(themountainousborderareabetweenAzraandZariadistricts)enteredtheDraykalayvillageofMangals.AwhiteDatsunvehiclecameintheirway.Apersonofawheat-likecomplexionwhoappearedtobe40-50yearsofagewassittinginthefrontseat.Hegotconfusedandbegantrembling.ItappearedfromhisconditionthathethoughttheTalibanwerelookingforhim.Hehadahandgun.TheTalibcommanderthoughthewasconfusedbecauseofthehandgunbecauseitwasacrimeundertheTalibanregime.Thegroupcommanderwenttohimandsaid‘Donotgetanxious,youwillnotfaceanyissuesfromourside’,andtheylethimgo.Whenwereachedthevillage,thelocalstoldusthatthepersoninthevehiclewasthefamousNangarharcommanderHajiZamanGhamshareek.
TheLogarintelligencechieftoldhisfriendstofirstperformablution,andthentheywouldgoseethehistoricalandreligioussacreditems–acapandshirtthatareattributedtoProphetMuhammad(peacebeuponhim)–attheguesthouseofHajiFazalRahmanandthenprayforthesuccessofthisoperation.
MOVINGTOWARDSTHEDISTRICTCENTRE
Afterviewingthesaveditems,wemovedtowardsAzraandarrivedthereby12pm.Thedistrictgovernorwasadvisedtoinvitealltheimportanttriballeadersforlunch.MostofthetriballeadersandeldersincludingHajiBismillah,HajiBadam,andHajiFazalRahmancametothedistrictcentre.TheTalibanreceivedakeypieceofinformationthatsaveforHajiZarghoon,FazalRahmanandafewothers,everyonehadreceivedmoneyfromAbdulHaqandensuredoftheirsupportforthefallofHesarakandAzra.
Followingthelunch,thedistrictgovernor–withtheadviceoftheintelligencechiefandpolicecommander–toldthetribaleldersandleadersthattheLogarGovernorMawlawiZiauddinMadanihasinvitedallofyoutothedistrictcentreforconsultations.TheyweresenttothedistrictcentreandtheLogargovernor
wasinformedbyradiotokeepthembusyuntilthesearchforAbdulHaqwascompleted.TheLogarpoliceandintelligencechiefsthenreceivedinformationthataspecialbattalionfromNangarharhadreachedHesaraktomonitorAbdulHaq.
TheLogarintelligencechieftoldhisfriendMawlawiBaazMuhammadthathewasgoingtotheAliSherKandawohilltoptocontactthebattalionthathadcometoHesarak.ThespecialbattalionconfirmedAbdulHaq’sarrival.AccordingtotheirinformationAbdulHaqwasresidingintheSpeenJumatareaandHajiZarghoonvillage.AbdulHaqhadvisitedthevillageadayearlier.FromAliSherKandawo,theintelligencechiefsawamanmovingtowardsAzrafromHesarak.HewasaffiliatedwithHajiFazalRahman.Makhbatdidnotrecognisehiminitially,soheforcefullyaskedhimtorevealAbdulHaq’swhereabouts.Thepersongotconfusedandsaid:Don’tsayanythingtome,Iwilltellyoueverything.Hesaid:AbdulHaqisneartheGhagigivillageofHesarakatHajiDoran’shouse.Hehasabrownturbanandiswearingwhiteclothes.HepurchasedaSSRDatsunyesterdaythroughsomeone’sreferencefromHajiDawoodinJalalabadcity.NowhehasinformationthatTalibanmilitantsfollowedhimfromJalalabad.HejustnowtoldHajiDoriantoarrangeahorsetohelphimescapethroughtheGhazniroutebecausetheTalibanarefollowinghim.
Makhbatsaid:ItappearedthatAbdulHaqwasalsoawareofourarrivalasaftercrossingus,HajiZamanGhamshareekwouldhavetoldhimaboutusviasatellitetelephone.Heconsidershimselftobeundersiege.AccordingtoMakhbat,thepersonwasconvincedtohelpusandshowusDoran’shouse.Itwasalmostafternoon.MuhammadInshaMakhbatcalledhisfriendBazMuhammadontheradiotojoinhimwiththeremainingmilitants,buthedidn’treplyontime.IntheendMakhbatandfourofhismentookpositionnearDoran’shouse,whichwasAbdulHaq’sexpectedescaperoute.
Themenheldtheirpositionsuntil1am.TherewasaheavyroarofUShelicoptersandmonitoringaircraftandwethoughttheyareheretorescueAbdulHaq.Around1:30am,thePoliceCommanderBazMuhammadcamewiththeremainingmilitantsandtookpositionthere.AbdulHaqWascapturedaround3ambyTalibanmilitantswhilehewastryingtoescapeonahorsefromthe
ambyTalibanmilitantswhilehewastryingtoescapeonahorsefromtheDoran’shouse.HewantedtogototheplaneareaandhadaplantoescapebyaUShelicopterashewasincontactwithUSofficialsatthetime.AfewpeoplewerearrestedwithAbdulHaq,whiletheremainingmenincludingHajiDoranescaped.
AfewminutesbeforeAbdulHaq’sarrest,twoDatsunvehiclesexitedtheDoranhouseandBazMuhammadwasexpectingtoseeAbdulHaq.Hestoppedthecars,butsawTalibancommanderAbdulRahmaninonevehicle,andWardak,anintelligenceofficerattheKabulintelligencedirectorate,intheother.BazMuhammadinstantlyunderstoodthattheyhadarelationshipwithAbdulHaq.BazMuhammadabusedthemandletthemgo.
ThepeoplearrestedwithAbdulHaqincludedhisdeputyMajorHamid,aformermilitaryofficialintheNajibgovernment,themilitaryaffairsin-chargeCommanderShahWali,andIzzatullah,AbdulHaq’sdriver.Theyhadasatellitephoneandaeroplaneguidancelightaswell.TheTalibantooktheelectronicdevicesfromthem.ThenoiseoftheUShelicoptersandplaneswasintheair,buttheywereunabletoknowtheactualsituation.TheythoughtthatAbdulHaqhadbeenarrestedorbesiegedbytheTalibanbattalionthatcamefromJalalabad,andsoUSforcesbombedthebattalion’svehicles.Oneofthevehicleswashit,injuringafewpeoplewhiletherestwererescued.
ThepolicecommanderimmediatelytookAbdulHaqinhisvehicletowardstheprovincialcapitalofLogar.MakhbatstayedatHajiDoran’shousetosearchit,andafterreceivingaradiomessagefromtheprovincialgovernorhealsowentafterBazMuhammad.AstheytravelledtowardsLogar,AbdulHaqrepeatedlyaskedtobetakentotheirleadersinKabul.MakhbatandBazMuhammadsaythatAbdulHaqhadnodocumentsthatcouldprovehisrelationshipwiththeTaliban.ThereareunfortunatelyafewfamousstoriesabouthistiestotheTalibanwhicharejustpropaganda.
TheirotherfriendthenephewofAbdulHaqandsonofHajiDinMuhammadwerearrestedinthemorningwithanaeroplaneguidancebeacon.TheareawasunderthecontrolofLogar’sKharwarTaliban,whokilledDinMuhammad’ssonwithoutconsultinganyone.WhenAbdulHaqwastakentoLogar,theKabulInteriorMinistryorderedtheLogargovernortotakehimtoKabul.
InteriorMinistryorderedtheLogargovernortotakehimtoKabul.
ThepolicecommandersenthimtoKabulonthegovernor’sorder.Intheafternoon,apickupvehiclewithanofficialcameontothehighwaynearKabulcityintheareaofLaBinSara,QalchaandShuhadaSaliheen.MullahZahir,anInteriorMinistryofficial,showedthemawrittendecreeofMullahOmarwhichsimplystatedtokillthistraitorbeforeenteringKabulandtonotpolluteKabulcitywithhisblood.
ThevehiclesreversedandstartedtravellingontheSangNoshtimainroadtowardsReshkhorFirqa.AbdulHaqandColonelHamidweresittinginthecarsandtheireyeswerecovered.BaazMuhammadwasshockedaboutwhattodo.MullahZahirtookthemofftheroadwiththeintenttokillthem.AbdulHaqbeganshoutingloudly.Themenwerekilledthere.WhenMullahZahirreturned,hepointedhisgunatthedriverIzzatullahandcommanderShahWali.Thepolicecommanderstoppedhimandsaid:MullahOmarhasonlyorderedtokillAbdulHaq,whyareyoukillingthem?ItisworthmentioningherethatAbdulHaq’sdriverandDinMuhammad’ssonhadthesamename–Izzatullah.
ThedriverandShahWaliremainedinLogarprisonandwerereleasedafterthefalloftheTalibangovernment.IntheeveningVoiceofAmericaradiobroadcastthenewsthatUShelicoptershadfailedtorescueanimportantCIAofficialAbdulHaq.
HAMIDKARZAI:THENEXTTARGETAFTERABDULHAQ
HamidKarzaiisthesonofAbdulAhadKhanKarzai,whowaskilledbyunknownmilitantsonJuly14,1999nearamosqueinQuetta’sSatelliteTownareafollowinghisreturnfromtheUS.AbdulAhadKhanKarzaiwasafamoustriballeaderandthedeputyoftheWolesiJirgaduringduringZahirShah’srule.HewasastrongsupporterofZahirShah.AftertheRussianinvasionsomeofthefamilysettledintheUSandreceivedAmericannationality.TheyworkedforUSintelligenceinAfghanistanandmostoftheiryouthweretrainedbythem,includingHamidKarzaiwhowasareliableCIAofficialduringtheAfghanjihadandworkedcloselywiththemujahideeninthewaragainstSoviets.
HewasalsoknownasacontrollerforthedistributionofStingermissiles.HamidKarzaibecametheleaderofhistribeafterhisfather’sdeath.Accordingtoafewofhisfriendsandrelatives,inadditiontopolitics,Karzaiwasfondofstayingup
ofhisfriendsandrelatives,inadditiontopolitics,Karzaiwasfondofstayingupandtalkingintothelatehoursofthenight.Theysayheuseddrugsincludingpillsandmarijuana.
Heremainedunmarriedfor40years.AtatimewhenIdidn’tknowKarzai,theVoiceofAmericaPashtoheadSpogmaiMaiwandtoldmethatHamidKarzaiisanactivememberoftheCIA.ThecarsofHamidKarzaiandZalmayKhalilzadarenotstoppedattheCIAentrance.
AccordingtomanyobserversoftheUSinvasion,AbdulHaqwasaprioritytotheUSinsteadofKarzai.Ifhewasn’tdead,hewouldhavebeentheheadofthefirstinterimgovernment.
KarzaiandhisfatherhadclosetiestoTalibanleadersbeforetheconflictemergedbetweentheUSgovernmentandtheTaliban.KarzaiwasDeputyMinisterforForeignAffairsintheRabbanigovernmentandhelaterescapedtoJalalabadafterbeingbeatenupbyMassoud’smen.ThiswasthereasonforKarzai’shatredofMassoud.WhentheCIAbegansupportingMassoud,Karzaiwasinstructedtoworkcloselywithhim.HewasonlyabletodowhattheCIAinstructedhim.
AftertheTalibancapturedKabul,KarzaiwantedtoworkcloselywiththeTaliban.HisfatherwasseenattheTaliban’sKandaharguesthousemanytimes.HehadclosetieswiththefirstgovernorofKandaharMullahMuhammadHassan,HeratGovernorMullahYarMuhammad,theTaliban’sfirstspokespersonMullahKhairullahKhairkhwa,MawlawiIhsanullahIhsan,andtheTaliban’sfirstMinisterofForeignAffairsMullahMuhammadGhaus.
WhenthreecountriesofficiallyrecognisedtheTalibangovernment,theTalibanlookedfortheopportunitytoexpandtheirdiplomaticrelationsandthisrequiredarepresentativeintheUN.HamidKarzaipresentedhimselfforthis,butitwascleartotheTalibanthatthiswasaCIAplan.SaudiintelligenceofficialssuggestedtooneofourdelegationstoselectHamidKarzaiasUNrepresentative;theAmericansprobablytoldthemtodoso.Iaskedthethen-deputyministerMullahAbdulJalilabutthis.Hesaid:ItwasproposedtoMullahGhaus(foreignminister)andItoselectHamidKarzaiasarepresentativefortheTalibangovernmentbutMullahGhaussimplysaid,theyaretheUS’speople;howwill
governmentbutMullahGhaussimplysaid,theyaretheUS’speople;howwilltheyrepresentus?
AbdulHaqwasselectedasamajorcommanderagainsttheTalibanfortheareasofNangarhar,centralKabulandLogar.HewassettoplayakeyroleinleadinggroundforceswithUSairsupporttogaincontrolofNangarhar,Kunar,andLaghmanaswell.ThistaskwasassignedtoAbdulHaqwhileKandahar,UruzganandHelmandwereassignedtoHamidKarzai.ManycommandersincludingJanMuhammadKhan,GulAghaSherzai,andGharryAkhundzada’sfamilyfromHelmandwereintouchwithKarzaiforsupport.
AfterSeptember11,HamidKarzaiwasbusyplanningthewaragainstTalibanofLoyKandaharattheCIAbaseinPakistan.AfewdaysaftertheUSinvadedAfghanistan,theCIAorderedhimtoenterthecountry.HecametoAfghanistanwiththeUSAirForce’ssupportfromaCIAbaseinPakistan.HestartedfromQuettabecausehewassureofaUSairrescueincaseofanydanger.HewasfirstseenintheSamurghandesertnearthecentreofUruzganandwasfollowedbytheprovincialpoliceandintelligence.OnNovember2,hewaswithLalMuhammad,thesonofaregionalelderDarmanShahintheDarjaGharraareaofcentralUruzgan.TheTalibanattackedhim;hewassupportedbyhismilitants.DuringtheattacktheTalibancaptured600oftheirweaponsthathadbeendroppedtothembyUSplanes.KarzaiescapedthisattackbutwasfollowedbytheTaliban.
OnNovember4,KarzaiandagroupofhissupportersweretakentotheJacobabadbaseinPakistanbyUShelicopters.HelivedthereattheCIAbasefortwoweeks,andtoldpeoplebysatellitephonethathewasinUruzgan.Aftertwoweeks,hecametoDehrawooddistrictinUruzganinUShelicopters,accompaniedbyCIAspecialforces,andwenttoDehjwazhills.TheTalibanhadlostcontrolofKabulandMazarbythenandtheirmilitarypositionwasveryweek.
TheTalibanweresupportedbythepeopleofTirinkotincludingRoziKhan(GaemawoMandaarea),KhairoJan(Dekarea),MuhammadJanAkhundzada(Sajjawal),MuhammadHashimKhan(Sajjawal),MawlawiLalMuhammad(PayeNawa),MualimRahmatullah(Khanqay),KhateebAkhundzada(fromKotwal)andMualimAbdulQadir.
Kotwal)andMualimAbdulQadir.
RoziKhanwashismilitarycommander.MullahTorwasalsohismilitaryperson,butneitherhadthewarspirit.TheyonlyprotectedthemselvesagainsttheTaliban.
AfterthecollapseofTirinkotcity,agroupofTalibanfromKandaharadvancedtocaptureKarzai,butfacedheavylossesbecauseofUSbombardmentanddidnotsucceedinachievingthetarget.KarzaithencametoKandahar’sShahWaliKotarea.HeremainedthereuntilthefallofKandahar,whenadelegationoftheTalibanmethimandagreedtohandovercontrolofKandaharcitytoMullahNaqib.Kandaharcollapsed,andHamidKarzaiwasselectedasaleaderoftheinterimgovernmentaccordingtotheresolutionoftheBonnconference.HewastransferredtoKabulbyCIAspecialforcesinahelicopter.
MASSKILLINGSOFTHOUSANDSOFSURRENDEREDTALIBANBYDOSTUMANDINVADERS
WhentheTalibanlostcontrolofHeratandwereunabletoholdpositionsontheKabulfront,theywereunabletoforciblyreopentheBamiyanrouteandprovidesafepassagetoapproximately10,000besiegedTalibaninthenorthandKunduz.Ononehandtheywerefacingextremebombardment,whiletherouteswereclosedandtheywereclosetobeingbesieged.MilitantsofcoalitionforceswereprovidingcoordinatestoUSplanesandtheTalibanbasesweretargetedprecisely.AfterextremebombardmenttheTalibanwerecrushedandcoalitionforcesadvanced.
DostumandalliedforceswerecoordinatingwithcommanderDawood.TheyassuredtheTalibanofprotectionincaseofsurrender.ThelivesofthebesiegedTalibanwerealsoimportantforMullahOmar.TheTalibanbelievedthatintheeventofsurrendertheywouldnotbekilledbecauseoftheexistenceofinternationallaws,humanrightsorganisationsandtheconstantmonitoringofthesituationbytheUS.MessageswerealsoconveyedinIslamabadtointernationalorganisations.
InKandahardiscussionswereunderwayonthepermissibilityorlackthereofofsurrender.SeniorMuftiMawlawiAbdulAlisaidthatiftheirsecurityisensured/clearthenitispermissibleforthemtosurrender.ButinKunduzmanyeldersconsideredthiswrong,andtalkedthisoverwithMawlawiAbdulAlionasatellitephone.Theylateragreedtosurrender.Butthosecommanderswho
satellitephone.Theylateragreedtosurrender.ButthosecommanderswhorefusedtoacceptthisdecisionincludedMullahDadullah,whohidinahouseinBalkhwiththehelpofsupportersandtoldBBCinaninterviewthathehadjustreachedKandahar.
DostumandHizb-eWahdatweresurethatDadullahhadlefttheareasotheystoppedtheirsearch.ThiswasasuccessfultacticbyMullahDadullah.WhentheTalibangovernmentcompletelycollapsed,hereachedKhostwiththehelpofahumantraffickerwhodidn’trecognisehim,andthenwentontoWaziristan.
ThesurrenderedTalibanweredistributedbetweenDostumandforeignintelligence.ThegeneralmilitarycommandersMullahMuhammadFazal,BalkhgovernorandadministratorMullahNoorullahNooriandafewothercommanderswerehandedovertoAmericans;theyremainedatGuantánamountiltheexchangeofprisoners.
Otherswerekilledinstages.Duringtheinvestigationlaterwhenanycommanderswererecognised,theywerehandedovertoUSforces.ThesurrenderedTalibanwerekilled,andtheseprisonerswerebombed,includingthoseheldattheQalaJangiprison.
Inthesecondstage,thousandsofTalibanwereloadedontocontainersandthedoorsclosed.Whentheprisonersshoutedbecauseofthirstandthelackofoxygen,theyfiredonthecontainers.Severalpeoplewerekilled,andtheremainingsurvivedfromtheairthatcamethroughthebulletholes.Afewprisonerswhosurvivedsaidthatmanydiedofsuffocationandothersfaintedbecauseofthirst.Thepeoplewhohadfaintedweretossedintothedesertandshotinthehead.Aftersometimeafewinternationalorganisationsraisedthisissueandreportswerepublished.AsDostum’sloyalmilitantswerethesupportersofinvaders,theiractionswereevenmoredevastating.
AfterafewmonthsofKarzai’sruleadelegationvisitedMazar.Karzai’sadvisorMawlawiSiddiqullahwasalsoapartofthisdelegationandhadasimilarstory.AbdulBariJahani(awriterandpoet)saidweshouldhidetheseincidentsastheywilldamageHamidKarzai’sgoodwill.
THEFATEOFAL-QAEDALEADERSINTORABORA
AfterthecollapseofKabul,thesituationinNangarharandtheadjoiningprovinceswasoutofcontrol.TheNangarhargovernoranddeputyministeroftheMinisters’Shura,whowasalsoheadoftheeasternzone,establishedthreelinesofdefencebetweenKabulandLaghman.ThefirstwasbetweenSarobiandLaghmanintheWarakhmeenTangiarea,thesecondbetweenLaghmanandSurkhhakan,andthethirdontheKabul-Jalalabadhighway.
Nangarhar’smilitaryofficialsleftthecityandonlyasecuritycommander,somelocaldivisioncommandersandasmallunitofmilitantsalongwithMawlawiAbdulKabirremainedinJalalabad.
MawlawiAbdulKabirconsultedwiththeMinisters’ShuradeputyMullahMuhammadHassan,abouthowafterthecollapseofKabultheycouldnotresistmoreinNangarhar.NothingcouldbeachievedexceptheavylosseswhileresistingagainstcommandersintheeasternregionandUSairattacks.
MawlawiAbdulKabirthensentamessagetoMullahMuhammadOmarthathecannotbecontacteddirectlyandalsoorderedhimtoleavethecity.MawlawiAbdulKabirinvitedhistrustedlocalcommanderMualimAwalGulandtwotrustworthypeoplewhohadclosetieswithMawlawiMuhammadYunusKhalisdatingbacktothejihadera.ItwasdecidedthatMawlawiKhalisshouldnominatetheheadoftheeasternzone.MualimAwalGulwillholdcontroloftheJalalabadoffice,andafterthewithdrawaloftheTalibanthisofficewouldhaveanameseparatethanthatoftheTaliban.
MawlawiAbdulKabirsentamessagetoOsamaandAymanal-ZawahirithroughacolleagueofthelateEngineerMahmoodthatyourstayherehascreatedproblemsforyou,andsoyoushouldgowithustoKhostandPaktiathroughAzradistrict.TheyrepliedthattheywillremaininToraBora.MawlawiAbdulKabirrespondedthatfirstcomewithus,andifyouwishtoremainthere,thengototheWazirTangaiareaofKhogiani,itisbetterthanToraBora.IthasaroutetotheHesarakandAzradistrict,andalsohasawaytowardsPaktiathroughtheZazaiarea.YoucanalsocrossintoPakistanfromthere.ButtheystillpickedToraBora.
AtthetimetheDefenceMinisterMullahObaidullahwhowasinLogarsaidontheradiotoleavethecityattheearliestandtobecareful.Hesaidtonotgoto
theradiotoleavethecityattheearliestandtobecareful.HesaidtonotgotoLogarfromtheHesarakroutesinceitwasalreadycontrolledandbeingmonitored.
MawlawiKabirandagroupoffriendstravelledfortwodaysontheGhazniroutenearthePakistanborderandreachedKhost.HeandafewfriendswenttothePaktiaZadranarea.WhentheEasternShuramembersandcommandersenteredNangarharaftertwodays,theyoverturnedtheTalibanoffice.UndertheleadershipofHajiQadeer,theEasternShuragotcontrolofNangarhar,andtheadjacentprovincesofKunarandLaghmanalsocameunderthecontrolofregionalcommanders.
HajiQadeerhadameetingwithMawlawiMuhammadYunusKhalis–whowastooweaktospeakatthetime–toshowthatMawlawiKhaliswasalsosupportinghim.ButafterstayinginJalalabadforashorttime,MawlawiKhalis’ssonmigratedandannouncedjihadagainsttheUSinvaders.
MualimAwalGul,whowascommanderofthefourthbrigadeandcontrollingthearmoury,remainedatthesamepositionontheadviceofTalibanofficialsandMawlawiKhalis.TheEasternShuradidnotreplacehimowingtooldties.
WhentheUSAirForcewasbombingtheToraBoraarea,USofficialsorderedtheirlocalcommanderstocarryoutagroundoperation.MualimAwalGulsentamessagetoSheikhOsamathathewascomingtoToraBorawithhisforces.HewouldmisfireonthesurroundingmountainsandgiveOsamaachancetoleavetheareabeforeothercommanderssupportingtheUSarrived.Osamaagreedtothisplanbutafewfriendswerestillwary.
MualimAwalGulwentaccordingtotheplanandevacuatedArabmigrantfamiliesfromtheareawiththesupportofothertrustedpersonnel.MawlawiKhalis’shousewasashelterforArabwomenandchildren.Hisfamilyhelpedthemuntiltheendandsafelyevacuatedthemtotheirdestinations.AmujahidHajiAbdulAhadtookOsamaandZawahirifromToraBoraNangarhartoWazirareaandbarelyescapedthelocalmilitants.MualimAwalGultookhimfromWazirtoNangarharcity.
AfghanandforeigninformantsweresearchingforOsamabinLaden.AfewkeycommandersoftheEasternShuraincludingHazratAliandZamanGhamshareek
commandersoftheEasternShuraincludingHazratAliandZamanGhamshareekweresuspiciousofMualimAwalGul.BeforehesafelyevacuatedthetwoArableaders,HazratAlivisitedGulandtoldhimthatthesepeoplearewithyouandtheAmericanwanthimatanycost.Itwouldbebetterifyouhandthemover.ButAwalGuldeniedtheirpresence,evenwhiletheSheikhsweresittinginhisvehicle.
OneofHazratAli’smilitantswascheckingeveryvehicle.MualimGuldecidedthatifHazratAliwenttowardsthevehicleortriedtosearchit,hewouldattackhim.ButintheendHazratAlileftythebrigadecompound.MualimAwalGulthentooktheSheikhsthroughtheBehsudbridgetowardsKunar.Fromthereon,hisloyalcommanderstookthemtosafemountainousareaandprotectedthemfromenemies.
Chapter8:CompletecollapseoftheTalibangovernment
EVACUATIONOFMULLAHOMARAFTERTHEFALLOFKANDAHAR
MullahOmardidnotusecommunicationequipment,followingthesuggestionofsomekeyandcloseTalibanofficials.ButwhentheTalibanlostcontroloverthenorth,MullahOmaraskedtheTalibaninaradiomessagetoresistuntiltheirlastbreath,andwasthenpresentontherepeaterradio.ThecentralcommunicationradioprovidedinformationfromacrossAfghanistanandhesentmoreforcesfordefenceandresistance.IntheendtheTalibanleftKabulcity.MullahOmarappointedafewcommanderstodefendKandahar.ThecommandersandleaderswholosthundredsoftheirfightersinUSbombardmentsaidabouttheirexperiences:Theruleovercitiesanddefendingcitiesthroughwarisnowimpossiblebecauseaeroplanescaneasilytargetknownbasesandoffices.
MullahOmaracceptedtheirconcernsduringthesediscussions.Afewmaincommanderspreferredtoleavethecitiestotakeupresistance.Ontheotherhandthemoraleofnationalmilitiaswasincreasing.Kabul,thenorth,andHerathadalreadycollapsed.TheextremebombingbyUSplanesencouragedtheirweaksupporterstofightagainsttheTaliban.
Theinconsistentattitudeofcommanders,andthecontactsbetweenafewcommanderswiththeenemy,forcedMullahOmartosaythatwhateveryoumaywantforyourself,Iamwillingtohandovermyauthoritytoyou,butthosewhowanttofightinthecityshouldbewithmeuntiltheend.Iwillfightuntilthelastbreath,whichmeansthatIdonotseeanyreasoningintheShariatoleavethebattlefield.
PriortothecollapseofKandahar,therewasameetingbetweenTalibancommandersandregionaltribalelders,accordingtoaneyewitnessandparticipantMullahGulAgha,aclosefriendofMullahOmarandin-chargeoffinancialaffairs.Hesays:BeforethecollapseofKandahar,MullahOmarheldameetingatthespecialplaceoftheKandaharcorps.Theparticipantsofthe
meetingatthespecialplaceoftheKandaharcorps.TheparticipantsofthemeetingincludetheseofficialsoftheIslamicEmirate:
MullahObaidullahAkhundMullahBaradarAkhundAbdulRazzaqNafizAbdulSalamRocketiAmirKhanHaqqaniMullahAkhtarMuhammadMansoorMullahAbdulRaufAkhundMullahAbdulRazzaqAkhund(interiorminister)RaeesofBaghranMr.AbdulWahidMullahAbdulBariAkhund(HelmandGovernor)QariAhmadullah(generalheadofintelligence)andfewotherfriends.
Ihaveforgottensomeofthenames.
Attendeesmostlycomprisedtribaleldersandformercommanders.Itappearedthattheyhadbeeninvitedtoaleadershipmeeting.KarzaihadbeennamedinShahWaliKot.AccordingtothestatementsoftriballeadersMullahNaqib,AmirMuhammadAgha,MullahMuhammadKarimfromShahreSafa,MawlawiAttaMuhammadfromBaghran,andseveralothertriballeadersparticipated;Iforgottheirnames.MullahNaqibmadeaveryemotionalspeechthatwecannotseethepainandsadnessofourpeople.Americansareengagedinheavybombing,soweshouldtransferthegovernmenttotribalandjihadileaders.Mostoftheattendeesagreedtothis,includingafewofourcolleaguesthroughtheirsilence.ButMullahOmarstronglyinsistedthatwewillcontinueourstruggleandjihadandopposedsurrenderofanykind.Hesaid:Ifweareforced,wewillleavethecityandpopulatedareas.Wewillmovetothemountainsanddesertssowecanprepareourselves.
Theattendeessuggestedaplantoselectsympathisersforafewimportantareassotheycouldsupportusinthefuture–forexample,MullahRocketiproposedMullahKarimforZabul,MawlawiAttaMuhammadforUruzgan,andMullahNaqibforKandahar.
ButMullahOmarrejectedthisproposal,sayingthatwecannotallowourpeople
ButMullahOmarrejectedthisproposal,sayingthatwecannotallowourpeopletoworkwithAmericans.ItisbetterthattheUSappointsitspeoplesothatthepublicbeginsjihadagainstthem.Ifweintroduceourpeopletothem,thiswouldbesupportingtheUSinvaders.
Irememberitwasanuncivilandroughmeeting.Theparticipantswantedtomakedecisionsquicklyastherewerechancesofheavybombing.MullahOmarstillwantedresistanceandjihad.HeorderedmetodistributemoneyamongTalibanofficialstocontinuejihad.Wedistributed$2.5millionatthemeeting.Afewreceived$100,000,othersreceived$50,000.Moneywasalsosenttopeoplewhowerenotpresentatthemeeting.
MullahOmardidnotlikethestatementsoftheattendees,especiallythestatementsaboutMullahNaqibwereveryharsh.Heleftthemeetingandtoldhisfriendsthattheyshouldlookforanappropriatesolutiontoprotectthemselvesandtocontinuetheirjihadwiththismoneyuntiltheymeetagain.
ThefamousmilitarycommanderofthenorthernfrontsMullahAbdulRazzaqNafiz,aresidentofUruzgan,wasoneofthecommanderswhodecidedtofightalongwithMullahOmarinthecity.Hewashonest,humble,kindhearted,andastrongmilitarycommanderwhoplayedamajorroleinthevictoriesofTakharandMazar.HewasverycarefulaboutusingtheTaliban’sgovernmentfunds.AfterheleftKandahar,hewasgivenahugeamountofmoneyforpersonalusetoandtobeginguerrillawar,butheneverusedanyofthemoneyforpersonaluse,eventhoughhehadnothingtoeatathome.Afeweldersfromthevillagecollectedmoneyandgaveittohisfathertomeetexpenses.
Hehadsomeproblemsduetothediscomfort,sleeplessnessandissueshefacedduringthewars.AfterthecollapseoftheTalibangovernment,hesecretlyvisitedKarachifortreatment.InKarachi,theformerfinanceministerAghaJanMu’tasimbeganhistreatment.Thedoctorstoldhimtorestforafewweeks.OnedayMu’tasimtookhimoutforafoodtoanexpensiveplace.Afterseeingthoseexpenseshegotenraged,abandonedthetreatment,andreturnedtoUruzganandbeganfightingtheinvaders.AfterafewmonthsofwarhewasmartyredinthebombardmentbyUSplanes.
DuringthecollapseofKandahar,AbdulRaziqNafizandafewother
DuringthecollapseofKandahar,AbdulRaziqNafizandafewothercommanderswereworriedthatifotherpeopleleavethebattleinthecity,andwearetheonesleftbehind,theUScouldprobablymakeaplantoarrestMullahOmaralivebeforeanyresistancecouldbemade.MullahOmarsaid:WarisnotpossibleinthecitysoweshouldgotowardsMahalajatinthesouthofthecityandbeginourlastwar.Nafizsaid:Mullahsahib!Howisthiswarpermissibleifourdeathsourcertain?Secondly,yourpresenceisthelifebloodofthefutureresistance.Whatistheneedtosacrificeourlivesinthisunsuccessfulwar?Whyshouldn’tweplantoprotectyouandleavethecity?Wewillgathermorefriendsandorganiseourworkwithanewstrategy.Wecannotdoanythinghere.
MullahOmar’slaststatementwasthatthe“enemyshouldcometothedoorofthisroomsothatIcanattackthem.”Nafizresponded:“Thereisapossibilitythatyoudonothaveanyopportunitytoattack.”
MullahOmareventuallyacceptedthesuggestionsofNafizandothercolleagues.HesentamessagetotheMinisterofAirDefenceMullahAkhtarMuhammadMansoortoconveyamessagetotheArabmujahideenneartheairportthatweareevacuatingthecity.Wedonotwanttoleaveyoualoneandrequestyoutoleavethecity.MullahOmar’srequesttoevacuatethefamiliesandchildrenofArabmujahideenfromKandaharcityhadbeencompletedaweekearlier.ThoseArabmujahideenwhosacrificedtheirlivestofightuntilthelastbreath,includingsuicideattackers,remainedthere.AtthattimeundertheleadershipofDefenceMinisterMullahObaidullah,SayyedTayyabAghaandHajiAmirMuhammadAghametKarzaiinShahWaliKotandagreedtohandoverthecitytoMullahNaqib.ButlaterontheAmericansdidnotallowthis,andhandedthecityovertoSherzaiandmilitias.
MullahOmarandAbdulRaziqaswellasotherTalibanleaderswereattheirlastbaseintheGereshkAddaareanearKandaharcity.MullahAbdulRazzaqNafizsuccessfullyconvincedMullahOmartogotoZabul.AdaybeforethefallofKandahar,MullahOmarandafewmilitantswenttoZabulandinvitedafewkeyTalibancommandersintheSurkhoganoarea.Theydiscussedhowtorestartbattleandanewstrategy.MostoftheTalibancommanderswhoparticipatedinthismeetingarenolongeralive,forexampleAbdulRazzaqNafiz,MullahRoziKhan,andMullahMuhammadGulNiazi.MullahOmargavetheinstructionsandwenttotheSiyuriandShinkidistricts.TheAmericansweretryingtokillor
andwenttotheSiyuriandShinkidistricts.TheAmericansweretryingtokillorarrestTalibanofficials,andtheydidnotevensparetheTalibanambassadorinIslamabadandimprisonedhimlikeamilitarycommander.
THEARRESTANDHANDOVEROFMULLAHABDULSALAMZAEEF
AfterthecollapseofKandahar,afewpeopletoldMullahAbdulSalamZaeefinthehostcountrythatasadiplomatyouarenotindangersoyoucancalmlylivethere.MullahZaeefstillwenttotheborderareaandcutoffhiscommunicationwitheveryone.OneofhistrustworthyrelativeslocatedhimandconvincedhimtogobacktohishouseinIslamabad,andthathehadtalkedtooneforeigncountryandafewhumanrightsorganisationsaboutasylumforyou.MullahZaeefwasinvitedtoIslamabadaccordingtoaplansothattheCIAcouldarresthim.
Thenameofthatpersonis*****,andheisarelativeofHamidKarzai.HeisasecretagentoftheCIA,butthroughbusinessandpoliticalconnectionshegotclosetoMullahZaeefasaloyalfriend.TheMinistryforMinesandIndustryMawlawiAhmadJansays:IsawanAmericanwith*****inKabulwearingAfghanclothesseveraltimes,whoheintroducedtoofficialsasawireless/cellphoneengineer.ItisnowcleartomethathewasaCIAagent.
AccordingtoMusharraf’sinstructions,MullahZaeefwashandedovertotheISI-CIAinPeshawar.ThecompletestoryhasbeenwrittenbyMullahZaeefinhisbook.WhateverhappenedwithZaeef,itwastheworstcrimeforagovernmentorganisation,andforPakistanitwasashamefulincidentthatanuclearpowercountrycouldbowdowntosuchanextent.
AfewTalibanofficialsconsider*****behindthefailureanddisclosureoftheTalibanrelationswithChina.AfterincreasedUSpressure,theTalibanleadershipwantedtosendasignedletterbyMullahOmartotheChinesepresidentthroughMullahZaeefviasecretchannelswithChineseofficials.
ItissaidthatZaeefgavethisletterto*****,whoinformedtheCIA,whichledtotheChinesesuddenlyretreating.WhenMullahZaeefwasreleasedfromimprisonment,*****wasatKabulairporttowelcomehimwithafewexpensivevehicles.ThesevehicleswereprobablypurchasedwithCIAmoney.MullahZaeefknows*****’srealitybutcannotsayanythingabouthimopenly.
Zaeefknows*****’srealitybutcannotsayanythingabouthimopenly.
Ontheotherhand,*****toldsomeonethatmytargetwasnottohandhimoverlikethisthattheAmericanstakehimtoGuantánamo,butIwantedhimclearedafterashortimprisonmentandtogointobusinesswithmeinKabulandcontinuehislifeasnormal.HisstatementofexcusesissimilartothatofKhalidPashtun’saboutMawlawiMutawakkil.MutawakkilandZaeeffacedhardshipandlengthyimprisonments.ButlaterinKabulthepresenceofthiskindofTalibanwasacceptablefortheCIAastheyarenotadangeranymoreandjustsymbolicfigures.Secondly,theCIAalsoaimedthatformerTalibanofficialsofthiskindwouldbecomeawaytoattractmullahsandotherTalibantothegovernmentandforeignforces.
THEFIRSTRESISTANCEAFTERTHEFALLOFTHETALIBANGOVERNMENT
WhentheTalibanleftallareasinthecountry,theresistanceagainstthegovernmentwasalmostnegligible.Afterthreemonths,inMarch2002,theAmericansbegananoperationagainstahugeTalibanbaseinPaktia’sZurmatShahiKotDarraarea.ThiswasthejihadibaseofMullahSaifur-RahmanMansoor,whohadbeendesignatedtocarryoutjihadagainstUSinvaders.
Saifur-RahmanMansoorwasthesecond-bornsonofMawlawiNasrullahMansoor,afamousjihadiwhowasmartyredinaterroristattackin1992.HereIwishtopresentimportantinformationaboutthepersonalityandmartyrdomofMawlawiNasrullahMansoor.
HewasaresidentofPaktia’sZurmatdistrict,andthesonofministerHajiGhulamMuhammadKhan.Hewasfamousamongkeyjihadicommanders,andplayedanimportantroleinreducingthejihadiconflictsbetweenHekmatyarandRabbaniwhichiswhytheyacceptedMawlawiMuhammadNabiasaleader.HewasselectedasthedeputyoftheHarakatInquilab-e-Islami.WhenRabbaniandHekmatyarsplitandSayyafreturnedtoKabul,MawlawiKhalisalsoestablishedaneworganisation.MawlawiMansoorwasstillMawlawiNabiMuhammadi’sdeputy,butwhentheorganisationbecameweakduetothepresenceofcarelesspeople,badacts,financialcarelessness,weakleadership,thefavouritismandinterferenceofMawlawiNabi’ssons,MawlawiMansoorlefttheorganisation.ButhiswasnotacceptedasanofficialorganisationbecauseoftheothergroupsinPakistanthatPakistaniofficialswereequippingwithashareofarmsand
inPakistanthatPakistaniofficialswereequippingwithashareofarmsandammunition.HislargeorganisationwasreducedtoasmallgroupandhewascompelledtolooktoIran.AtthattimeIranalsosupportedtheAfghanjihadbutitssupporttoSunniswasverylimited.
MawlawiMansoormanagedhisgroup,offices,madaris,publications,andtrainingprogrammesinaveryactivemanner,eventhoughhelackedforfunds.Hewashighlycapableofutilisingtheyouthinservice.
MawlawiMansoor,alongwithothers,alsotrainedhissonsforjihad.Heneversenthissonstoforeignuniversitiesforhighereducation.WhenhecameacrosssuchopportunitieshewouldtellhissonsthatyouwillgetyoureducationinthemadariswhereAfghansareeducated.
DuringourchildhoodandthejihadagainstSoviets,wesawthehouse,offices,andmadrassa.HewaslivingahousethatrentedforthreehundredPakistanirupees,andthedoorwascoveredbyacurtain.Hewouldleavehishousewell-dressed,likeaprince.Hispersonallifewasorganisedandhewasveryhardworking.InPeshawarhewasbusyineducation,training,andofficialwork,andinthecountryhewasengagedinbattle.Healwaystookhissonswithhimtothebattlefield.
WhenthemujahideenenteredKabul,allsixorganisationsexceptingHekmatyarplayedaroleinthegovernment.MawlawiMansooralsowenttoKabul.PaktiawashisbattlegroundandheplayedamajorroleinconqueringPaktia.AfterthevictorycommandersfromdifferentorganisationsandtriballeadersestablishedaShura,MawlawiMansoorwasselectedasgovernor.HepreferredthegovernorshipofPaktiainsteadofapositionasadeputyattheSupremeCourt.Thiswasthereasonthatallthewarbooty–includingarmouredtanks–wererepairedforafully-equippedforceinsteadofsellingthem.ThisforcewasledbySaifur-RahmanMansoorwhowasatankoperatorandtrainedmanyofhiscolleagues.DuringTalibanruleSaifur-Rahmanwasresponsibleforoperatingarmouredtanksandcannons.
MawlawiMansoorgotamonetaryshareoftheprovincefromtheRabbaniregimeanddistributedahugeamountofmoneyamongthethievingcommandersthatwereresponsibleforchaosintheprovince.Thismoneywasdistributedtokeeptheprovincepeaceful.MawlawiMansoor’sclosefriendssay
distributedtokeeptheprovincepeaceful.MawlawiMansoor’sclosefriendssaythatheneverspentthismoneyonhimselforhisfamily.Eventhevehicleheusedwaspurchasedforhimbyabusinessman.MullahOmarclearedhisdebtsduringTalibanrule;upuntilthenhissonswereunabletorepaywhattheirfatherowed.Allsixorganisationsreceivedmoneyfromthegovernment;evenUstadFarid,Hekmatyar’sdeputypresident,receiveddonationsfromthegovernmentforaperiod.
TheotherspecialthingaboutMawlawiMansoorwasthathischaracterhadanationalflavour,sincehereceivedreligiouseducationinAfghanistanfromdifferentmullahsandwasfamiliarwiththenatureofhispeople.WhenhevisitedZabulandGhazniduringmujahideenruleandheldmeetingsthere,everyonefeltthatverysoonhewouldgetthesupportofthepeopleoftheregionandIslamicscholars.InPakistannoonelethimcomeforward,butinAfghanistanhecouldhaveresourcesthatwouldcountertheinfluenceofotherorganisationsinmanyprovinces.
Hekmatyarwasworriedabouthim,anditwashisnaturetohavehisrivalsbeatenupormurdered.ThismadeMansoorhistarget.Ontheotherhand,whenitwasdifficultforHekmatyartoadvancefurtheragainstMassoudinKabul,heplannedtocaptureareasfromthepeace-lovingcommandersofGhazni,Paktia,PaktikaandLogarwhodidn’twantcivilwar.Theintelligenceservicesofaneighbouringcountryalsosupportedhiminthisplan.TheseprovinceswereunderthecontrolofHarakat–thegovernorswerefromHarakat,andmostforceswerewithHarakatbuttheyhadnomilitarypolicyforwar.Hekmatyarwantedtotakeadvantageofthisopportunity.MawlawiMansoorwastheadministrativecontrolleroftheseprovinces.
WhileMawlawiMansoorwastravellingfromKabultoGardez,withtheprovincialshareofthebudget,hewasstoppedbyHekmatyar.MansoorhadspentagoodtimewithHekmatyarinPeshawarandtheywerefriendsborneofthesamestruggle.HeneverthoughtHekmatyarwillhumiliatehimandthreatenhimwithdeath.
TherewasawarunderwaybetweenAhmadShahMassoudandHekmatyarinKabul.NotasinglefighterfromMansoor’sgroupwastakingpartinthiswar.MawlawiMansoorwasnotinterestedintheseinternalconflicts;insteadhewas
MawlawiMansoorwasnotinterestedintheseinternalconflicts;insteadhewasarrangingaforceasathirdpartytobringpeaceundertheleadershipofSibghatullahMujaddidi.Thisalsoincludedafewjihadicommanderswhowantedpeace.
InthebattlefieldofCharasyab,fromwhereKabulwasattackedbymortars,Hekmatyarstoppedhisvehicleandhadhimtakendownfromthevehicle.Hewasimprisonedforafewhours.Hizbcommanderslootedmoneyfromthecar.AccordingtoalocalKabulcommander:
BeforeMawlawiMansoor’sarrival,themenofToorMawlawi(MawlawiNizamuddin)gaveasecretreporttoHekmatyarthatMawlawiMansoorhascashandcrossesyourcheckposts.ButpeopleclosetoToorMawlawidenythisaccusationandcallitpropaganda.IthasbeensaidthatwhileMawlawiNizamuddinwaswithHaqqani,hewasactuallyfriendswithHekmatyarandwantedtoforciblycontrolPaktia.Thiscommandersaysthatduringthetheftofmoney,acommanderofHizbZabitNazirZazaiwhowasalonefelldownonthemoneybagssothatnoonecouldtakethemoneyfromhim.OtherHizbPatakisforciblyremovedthebagsofmoney.
UnfortunatelythesetypesofrobberiesundertheleadershipofarigidleaderlikeHekmatyarandatthecheckpointofthewell-reputedcommanderHajiKashmirKhanshowsthatalongwithsparkingviolencetheyalsofosteredmurderersandthieves.
Aftertherobbery,thissiegewasbrokenwiththesupportofMawlawiJalaluddinHaqqani.MawlawiMansoortoldKabultelevisionthat“Theytoldusthatwewillkillyou,Itoldthemthat‘wehaveknowledgethatlifeanddeathisonlyinthehandsofAllah.”MawlawiMuhammadYunusKhalisalsofacedasimilarsituationwhenhewasstoppedbythecommanderZardadintheSarobiareaandwerelaterreleasedduetotheinterventionofMawlawiJalaluddinHaqqani’sbrothers.MawlawiKhaliswasnottakenoffthevehiclesincehewasaccompaniedbyhiscommandersandmilitants.
Inasimilarincident,oneofHekmatyar’sfamouscommandersWahidullahSabawoonstoppedanotherjihadicommanderPeerSayyedAhmadGailani,whowasalsoapartoftheKabulgovernmentandwantedtovisitLaghman.HekmatyarstoppedhimwiththesupportofSabawoon.ButGailani’sfamous
HekmatyarstoppedhimwiththesupportofSabawoon.ButGailani’sfamouscommanderShomaliKhanbrokethesiege,andthenextdayhegaveHekmatyar12hourstoleaveNangarhar.Hekmatyar’shousewastheninJalalabad.TheKochiheadofHizb-eIslamigroupHajiAbdulMateenrecountedtomethatShomaliKhanwarnedHekmatyar,andHizbcommandersinNangarhardidnothavethecouragetosendmilitantstoprotectHekmatyar’shouse.
HajiMateensaid:Isent12militantstohishousebutafterthatitwasdifficultforHekmatyartostaythere.AfterthemujahideenenteredKabul,allthegovernment-appointedmembersfromsevenjihadigroups,andthemainmembersofthesegroups,aswellasMujaddidi,wereinvitedtoKabul.TheywantedtotravelontheKabul-Jalalabadhighway.HekmatyarsentmeamessagetoattackthisconvoyneartheChoraGalaiareaofJalalabadandeliminatethem.Mateensaid:Irefused,butfortunatelytheconvoydidnotpassthrough.MujadiddiandhiscabinetwenttoKabulbyair.
WithinamonthoftheCharasyabincident,therewasabombblastonthevehicleofMawlawiMansoorontheGardez-Zurmatroute,whichkilledMawlawiMansoorandMawlawiZabtuKhan,afamousreligiousscholarfromLogar.
ThereweretwoopinionsaboutthemurderofMawlawiMansoor:onetheoryisthataminewasplacedontheroute,andthesecondisthataremote-controlledminewasplacedinhisvehiclewhenhewasstoppedbyHizb-eIslamicommandersinCharasyab.ThesecondtheoryhasmoreweightbecauseaccordingtoMawlawiMansoor’ssecuritypersonnel,therewerenosignsofaburiedbomboritsimpactunderthecar.
AccordingtoaKabul-basedHizbcommander,whenMawlawiNasrullahMansoorwasmartyred,localcommanderscongratulatedeachotherviatheradio.
MawlawiNasrullahMansoorwasacaring,foresightedandintelligentyoungjihadileaderandIslamicscholar.InPeshawarhehadaverygoodrelationshipwithHekmatyarandHizb.Butlateron,theaggressiveandpainfulattitudeofHizbintelligencepersonnelforcedMullahMansoortodependonMassoudandRabbani’ssupporttoprotecthisareasfromHizbattacks.HekmatyarhadaplantoforciblygaincontrolofLogar,Ghazni,andPaktia.Hesucceededingetting
toforciblygaincontrolofLogar,Ghazni,andPaktia.HesucceededingettingcontrolofLogar.ThegovernorsoftheseprovinceswereHarakatcommandersandMawlawiMansoorwastheadministrativeleader.ThereforeitwasimportantforHekmatyartokillMawlawiMansoor.MullahToorwasprobablyalsoapartofthisconspiracy.HewasblamedfordisordersandtheftsinKhostandGardez.WiththearrivaloftheTaliban,MullahToordidnotjoinMawlawiJalaluddinHaqqaniagainsttheTaliban,insteadhetookupopposition.
WhentheTalibancapturedtheCharasyabarea,MullahSaifur-RahmanMansoorwasalsoapartofthisforceasacommander.IheardfromoneofhisfriendsthatafterHekmatyar’sescape,hewenttohishouseandtookawaytheclothesandothergoods.Hehandedtheseitemsovertoatrustedpersonandsaid:TakethesetoHekmatyarandtellhimthatIconsideryourhonourasmine.Youstoppedandhumiliatedmyfather,butmyfathertaughtmetoconsideryourhonourasmyhonour.
Saifur-Rahmanwasbroughtupundertheguidanceofhisfather,andheemergedasafighter.Hewasakindandjustwarrior.Heofferedlongprayersatnight.Hewascarefulabouttheuseofentrustedvehiclesandmoney.Oneofhisfriendssaysthathedidnotparticipateinhisbrother’sweddingbecausehecouldnotuseagovernmentcarforpersonalpurposes.HefoughtasaTalibancommanderonthefrontlineandwasinjuredtwice,whichledtohimbeingdisabledafterreceivingsevereinjuriestohishands.
OnNovember12,2001,theDefenceMinistryannouncedevacuationandtheTalibanmilitantswereleavingKabul.ThisevacuationwasbasedonasecretagreementthattheTalibanwouldnotbebombedastheyleft.Twofamouscommanderswereunawareofthisatthetime–MawlawiJalaluddinHaqqaniandMullahSaifur-RahmanMansoor.TheyintendedtofightuntiltheendtodefendKabulandprotestedthedecision.
TheyleftKabulintheend.MawlawiJalaluddinHaqqanibeganresistanceactivitiesinKhost,andSaifur-RahmanMansoorreactivatedhisfather’sbasecampintheShahiKotmountainousareathatwasestablishedduringthejihadagainsttheSovietstoorganisejihadiactivities.ThesecommanderssafelyevacuatedthefamiliesoftheArabmujahideenandtheirfamilieswhocamefromthesouthandeastandtoasafeplace.MullahSaifur-RahmanMansoor,withthe
thesouthandeastandtoasafeplace.MullahSaifur-RahmanMansoor,withthesupportofMullahNekMuhammadfromWaziristanandlocalresidents,providedsafesanctuarytoArabsandotherforeigners.MullahNekMuhammadworkedintheQarghamilitarydivisionasanindividualandwasaclosefriendofMullahSaifur-RahmanMansoor.
MawlawiJalaluddinHaqqaniwasseriouslyinjuredinUSaerialattacksashewasplanningattacksagainsttheinvaderswhileatthehouseofSirajuddininZanikhelvillage,NadirShahkotdistrict.Followingthishissonsselectedjihadibasesontheothersideoftheborderandorganisedeffectiveoperations.MullahSaifurRahmanselectedtheShahiKotmountainsasabaseandalsojoinedhandswithforeignmujahideen.
Inearly2002,USspiesbeganmonitoringthistrainingcamp.MawlawiAbdulHakeemMuneeb,aformerdeputyministerofTaliban,wasawell-knownfigurewhohadplayedamajorroleintheShahWaliKotwar.HewasaresidentofZurmat,Paktia.HewasclosetoRahmatullahWahidYarfromanearlyage,andsoheconsideredhimselfasupporterofMawlawiMansoor.HedidnothaveagoodreputationintheTalibanmovement,hisinfamycausedbyanincidentwherehehadstolenavehicle.Buthestillremainedanofficialatalowrank.
BeforetheUSinvasion,hehadlinkswiththeCIAthroughtheformerjihadicommanderMullahMalang.WhentheUSattackedAfghanistan,hemadestatementsagainstMullahOmarwhiletalkingtothemediaandwasactivelyinvolvedinsupportingtheinvaders.Onehetalkedwiththemedia;hewascapturedbytheTaliban.HemadeanexcusethatBachaKhanZadranhadtiedhimupandforcedhimtomakethesestatements.Saifur-RahmanMansoortriedconsiderablylatertoarresthim.
MuneebandaforeignwomanwerewalkinginGardezcityanditssurroundingstocollectinformationabouttheShahWaliKotbase.HelatersharedthisinformationwithUSofficials.AfterthebattleofShahiKot,Muneebwasrewardedwithmoneyandanofficialposition.OnonehandhecooperatedwithAmericanstoattackSaifur-Rahman’sbase,andontheotherhand,withoffersoffreeHajjandUmrahtomanyPaktiaresidents,theZurmatsheikhsandregularmullahsbecamehisfriendsandsupporters.
Afterprecisesurveillance,anattackwasplannedonShahiKot.DuringMarch
Afterprecisesurveillance,anattackwasplannedonShahiKot.DuringMarch2002,aftertheUSairstrikes,Afghanforcesweresenttowar.Saifur-RahmancapturedhundredsofAfghanarmypersonnelaliveandlaterreleasedthem.TheAmericanforcesfacedheavylossesforthefirsttimeinthiswar,andthewesternmediacalleditabiglossfortheUSaftertheVietnamwar.USforcesconfirmedthedestructionoftwoaeroplanes,thedeathsofeightsoldiersandinjuriestoafewothers.Butaccordingtolocalsandeyewitnessesofthewar,manyaeroplaneswereshotdownandmorethanahundredUSsoldierskilled.
Saifur-Rahman’sbrotherFatahur-Rahmansays:InOryaKhelvillage,whichwasawayfromthebattlearea,IcountedsevenhelicoptershitbytheTaliban.WealsosawoneAWACSE_3planethatfellnearGardezcity.
MuhammadQasimHalimiwasthenimprisonedinBagram.Hesays:aguardsoldierwithmeinBagramwascryingonthefirstdayofthiswar,andsayingthatourforcesfacedheavylossesandfortydeadbodieshavebeenbroughttoBagramuntilnow.
Thewarcontinuedfortwoweeks,anditstoppedthedayafterMullahSaifur-Rahman’smartyrdom.Veryfewofhisfriendssurvivedthewar.MawlawiMuhammadYusufandMawlawiFidaMuhammadJawadwerehismaincommandersandweremartyredwithhim.
Afterthiswar,USforcesrealisedforthefirsttimethatitisveryhardtofightAfghansdirectly,evenwiththepresenceofadvancedtechnology.ThisboostedthemoraleoftheTalibanandtheyslowlyandgraduallylaterstartedresistanceeffortsagainsttheinvaders.MullahSaifur-Rahmanwasthefirstsymbolandherooftheresistanceagainstinvaders.Hisdeathwashiddenbyhisfriendstokeepthemoraleofthemilitantshigh.
AfterthemartyrdomofSaifur-RahmanMansoor,hisbrothersdidnotsucceedinstrengtheninghisgroup.Owingtoinexperience,weakadvisors,andthecoordinationwithafewmembersofKhuddamul-Furqanweakenedtheirmoralresistance.Theywerebusyintheirpersonalandlocalconflicts.
ThesonsofMawlawiJalaluddinHaqqanieffectivelyexpandedtheirresistanceeffortstohalfthecountry.Thesetwofamiliesarelovedgreatlybytheirfollowersduetotheireffectivenessandtheirfamilysacrifices.
followersduetotheireffectivenessandtheirfamilysacrifices.
ANNOUNCEMENTOFTHEKHUDDAMUL-QURANORGANISATION
AftertheUSinvasionandthecollapseoftheTalibangovernment,afewpeoplelikeSaifur-RahmanMansoorwenttothemountainswiththeintentionofmountingaresistance.AfewwenttotheborderareaswithPakistantolivethereinsecret,afewofficialswenttoPakistanicitiesasrefugees,andregularTalibanwentbackhomebasedonKarzai’spromise.AmericansandtheirsupportingmilitiasarrestedtheseTaliban,andtheytriedtoescapetoanywheretheycould.BecauseofthismanyTalibanagreedtofightagainsttheAmericans,NorthernAlliance,andlocalcommanders,becauseoftheirabusesandhumiliation.Theyunderstoodthatiftheystayhometheywillbehumiliatedandthreatenedtodeath.Soitisbettertonotgiveoneselfinempty-handedtotheenemy.
Ontheotherhand,themiddle-classTalibanofficialswhohadbeenlivinginPakistanduringthejihadagainsttheSovietswereaskedbyPakistantosupporttheKarzaigovernmentandannouncetheirdisassociationfromtheTaliban.AtthetimeKarzaihadverywarmrelationswithPakistanandhisfamilyhadrecentlyshiftedfromQuettatoKandaharandKabul.Evenintheelections,AfghanrefugeesinPakistanvotedforKarzai,andthePakistanigovernmentfacilitatedtheseelections.
AsPakistanwasamemberoftheUScoalition,itspolicywasclearlytoimprison,handoverandconvincetheTalibantosupportKarzai.
LedbyAminJanMujadiddi,MawlawiArsalaRahmani,AbdulHakeemMujahid,HabibullahFawzi,RahmatullahWahidyar,HajiAhmadHotak,SohailShaheen,andMawlawiAbdulSattarSiddiquiannouncedanorganisationcalledKhuddamul-Furqan.ThiswasanorganisationthathadoriginallybeenestablishedbyIslamicscholarsandspiritualleadersafterthesecondAnglo-AfghanwarfortheprotectionofIslamicvaluesagainstBritishpolitics.Thisorganisationwasactiveuntilthecommunistcoup.
MullahArsalaRahmaniandHajiAhmadHotakweretheactualfoundersofthisnewKhuddamul-FurqanwhousedAminJanMujaddidiasasymbol.ArsalaRahmaniwasanopportunistandanintelligentman.HeworkedintheRabbaniandTalibangovernmentsasaministeranddeputyminister,andwasselectedas
andTalibangovernmentsasaministeranddeputyminister,andwasselectedasasenatorintheKarzaiadministration.HeownedahugepropertyinPakistan.WahidYarandRahmaniwereamongthosesixtyHarakatcommanderswhowereawardedPakistaninationalitybythePresidentofPakistanGhulamIshaqKhanattheendofthejihadagainstUSSR.
RahmaniwasafamousjihadicommanderfromPaktikaduringthejihad,butlateralotofwealthfromArabsupportersandlandfromrefugeeswaslefttohim.Itisalsosaidthatattheendofthejihadhesoldahugeamountofweaponsandgrewrich.HepurchasedpropertyinIslamabad,Pakistanandalsohadacoldstorehouseforfreshvegetablesandfruits.
DuringtheRabbaniandTalibangovernmentshepurchasedmanyhousesandshops.SomeoneaskedhimwhyhewaseagertoreturntoKabul.HejokinglyrepliedthatIexchangedmyjihadfortheseshopsandmarkets;ifIleavethesenowI’llloseboth.
MullahArsalaRahmaniusedAminJanMuhammadiforthiswork,andhisachievementwastoridhimselfoftheTalibanlabeltocometoKabul.Afterunderstandingthereality,MawlawiAbdulSattarSiddiquilefttheorganisation.HepledgedallegiancetoMullahAkhtarMuhammadMansoorin2016andpassedawayinearly2017.
Theywereprovidedfinancialsupport.ThosefundswereeitherprovidedbyPakistaniorganisations,orWesternorganisationsthroughPakistan.Insteadofusingthesefundsfortheorganisation,itbecameasourceofconflictbetweenthem.HajiAbdulRahmanHotakwasangeredandlefttheorganisationbecauseofreceivingasmallershareofthemoney.
MullahArsalahadsuggestedinvestingthismoney.Hisfriendstoldhimthattheydidnothavemoreunderstandingofbusinessthanhim,soheshouldinvestit.ArsalaRahmanisaid:Aspotatoesarecheapthesedays,Iwillpurchasethousandsoftonnesofpotatoesandstorethematmycoldstorageuntilpotatoratesinthemarketincrease;wewillearnalotofmoney.Youonlyhavetopaymerentforthecoldstorage.
Whentheseasonpassed,potatoratesdroppedevenmoreandtherewasaloss,butMullahArsalareceivedrentforthecoldstorage.
butMullahArsalareceivedrentforthecoldstorage.
DuetotheUSinvasion,Pakistanipressureandofficialpositions,afewmoreTalibanofficialstriednegotiationswiththeKarzaiadministrationandAmericansbutfailed.
THESURRENDEROFTALIBANOFFICIALS
InMarch2002,agroupofTalibanheadedbyJusticeMinisterMullahNooruddinTurabiwenttotheKandaharGovernorGulAghaSherzai.ThisgroupincludedtheformerTalibanHigherCouncilmemberMullahMuhammadSadiq,HeratPoliceCommanderMullahAbdulHaq(thebrotherofMullahSa’aduddin),theheadofadministrativeaffairsMawlawiSayyedMuhammadHaqqani,BoldakresidentandGhaznipolicecommanderMullahObaidullahandafewotherlow-rankingTalibanofficials.WhenitwascleartoGulAghaSherzaithatAmericawillnotforgivetheseTalibancommandersandtheywouldbesenttoGuantánamoasprisoners,hegavethemmoneyandtoldthemthattheAmericanswillnotleaveyousoyoushoulddisappear.
ThisstrongreactionoftheAmericansandthehumiliationofTalibanfamilymembersbylocalcommandershelpedthisnewresistance,andeveryTalibleaderunderstoodthattherewasnootherwayforwardasAmericawouldnotleavethematanycost.
ThisgroupgavealettertoSherzaisothatnooneshouldbotherthem.TheythoughtthatSherzaihasagoodrelationshipwithPakistanandthisletterwouldprotectthem.WhenMullahMuhammadSadiqshowedthislettertothePakistanipolice,theyhandedhimovertotheISIwhogavehimtotheAmericans.HewaslatersenttoGuantánamo.
ThislettersometimeshelpedtheTalibanwithinAfghanistan.AsimilarletterwasprovidedtoMuftiAbdulHakeem,aresidentofKandaharcity,whichstated:thisMaulviSahibisdisgustedwiththeTaliban,helivesathishouse,nooneshouldbotherhim.DuringTalibanrule,MuftiAbdulHakeemwastheadministrativeheadofKandahar.HeremainedathomeforawhilebutafterayearhejoinedhandswiththeTalibanagainandworkedastheeconomiccommissionheadforaperiod.
AnotherimportantofficialwhosurrenderedwasMawlawiWakeelAhmad
AnotherimportantofficialwhosurrenderedwasMawlawiWakeelAhmadMutawakkil.WhenhesawthesituationofMullahAbdulSalamZaeef’sarrestinPakistan,hewassureofhisfate,thatastheTalibanforeignministerPakistanwouldnotsparehim.Afterafewdaysofcontact,HajiBashirwhohadlinkswithKandaharofficialsconvincedhimthataftermeetingwithAmericanshewilllivearegularlifeinAfghanistan.KhalidPashtungaveassurancesfromtheAmericans’side,buttheyactuallyhadadealwiththeUS.WhenhewentbacktoKandahar,theAmericanshandcuffedhimandannouncedhisarrestinsteadofvoluntarysurrenderinthemediaanddeclareditahugeachievement.Hewasimprisonedfortwoyearswherehefellsickfromtuberculosis.Helosthishairandbeard.Althoughhewastreatedhisbodystillbearsthelong-termeffectofincarceration.
TALIBAN’SDIPLOMATICACTIVITIESAFTERTHECOLLAPSEOFTHEGOVERNMENT
AfterthecollapseoftheTalibangovernment,theTalibanwereunsuccessfulforalongtimeinestablishingrelationswithanyone.Itwasdifficultintheabsenceofasystematicplanorpersonnel.TherewasnoonefromtheTalibanForeignAffairsMinistrywhodidanythingaboutthis,ornowhaspositiveandsincereintentions.
TheForeignAffairsMinisterWakeelAhmadMutawakkilinitiallysurrenderedandwasthenimprisoned.ThefirstandindependentdeputyMullahJalilwasstoppedfromworkinginaccordancewithMullahOmar’saudiomessageashewasaccusedofhavingpersonalrelationswiththeISI.MullahOmar’sdeputiesoccasionallyallowedhimtoworkonfinancialcontributions.ButhepaidsecretivevisitswithoutgainingapprovalandwasnotloyaltotheTalibanleadership.AfterMullahOmar’sdeathheopenlysupportedtheMullahRasoolgroupandcompletelycutoffhistiestotheTalibanleadership.
ThesecondsymbolicdeputywasAbdulRahmanZahid,whobecameinfamousamongtheTalibanonthefirstdayofthegovernment’scollapseandwaslateraccusedoffinancialcorruption.Unfortunatelyadozenfinancialcorruptioncasesagainsthimwereproven.HewastedthetimeofmanygroupsasafakeTalibanrepresentative.HeutilisedhisoldofficialpositionforpersonalandfinancialgainandmadeseveralsortstoposeasaTalibanrepresentative.HeoncesecretlyvisitedAlgeriaasaTalibanrepresentativetogetsupportforTalibanrefugeesbut
visitedAlgeriaasaTalibanrepresentativetogetsupportforTalibanrefugeesbutafterMullahOmarlearnedofthis,heapologisedandpromisedtogivetheamounttotherelevantdepartmentbutneverdidso.HewasnevertrustedbytheTalibanleadershipbecauseofhisopenfinancialcorruptionandposingasafakeTalibanrepresentative.Itwasnotpossibletohavehimconductdiplomaticrelations.
Ontheotherhand,sendinginexperiencedandunpopularrepresentativesbytheTalibanleadershipfordiplomaticeffortswasanotherreasonforfailureandawasteoftiers.
ThefirstheadofthepoliticalcommissionMawlawiAbdulKabirwasveryintelligentandhadinsightintointernalmachinations,buthewasstillunabletoimplementhisplans.Afewofhisopponentsblamedhimforhisinclinationtowardspeaceandnegotiationsbecauseofhismoderateandsofttemperament.InhisabsenceafewofhiscolleaguesfromthepoliticalcommissiondirectlycontactedtheTalibanleadershipinsecret.Similarly,someoftheTalibanhadindependentmeetingsandactivities;e.g.MawlawiAbdulKabirdidnotknowaboutMawlawiShahabuddinDilawar’smeetingswiththeBritishman,MichaelSemple.
InaccordancewithMullahOmar’sinstructions,MawlawiAbdulKabirwastryingtobuildtieswithanti-USgroups.Initiallythistaskwasalmostimpossible,whileestablishingrelationshipswithWesterncircleswasrelativelyeasybecausethesecirclesareappointedwiththeCIA’sapproval.ButthiswasagainstthepurposeoftheTaliban,whowantedtobuildtiestostrengthentheirresistancewhilethesecirclesweretryingtostoptheTalibanfromwarandstopsurrender.
MawlawiAbdulLatifMansoorwasthenappointedleaderforabriefdurationbuthewassoongivenanotherimportanttask.Mu’tasimAghaJanwasalsoappointedforafewmonthsbecausetheTalibanwantedtostophimfromaccesstofinancialresources.Buthewasagainsuccessfulinaccessingthefinancialaffairsposition,andeventuallyMullahOmardisassociatedhimfromtheTalibanmovement.
WhenTayyabAghawasappointedheadofthiscommission,healsocarriedouttheeasiertasksandestablishedtieswithWesterncircles,buthealsotookcarelessstepsagainstotherswiththesupportofclosefriendsandMullahOmar’s
carelessstepsagainstotherswiththesupportofclosefriendsandMullahOmar’sfiends.UnfortunatelywhentheTalibanweregettingclosertoanti-USforces,theseeffortswererenderedweakandineffectivebecauseofTayyabAgha’sactions.ThiswasbecausethosegroupstermedthewarmrelationsofTayyabAghawithwesternsourcesasdistancingthem,andafewshowedtheirdisappointmentandcomplainedaboutthisaswell.
TayyabAghavisitedEuropeforthefirsttimethroughtheCentralAsianRepublicsandconductedhigh-levelnegotiationsinGermany.OntheotherhandMullahAbdulSalamZaeefandafewothersourcesestablishedconnectionsbetweentheCIAandTayyabAgha.
Afterthistaskwasinitiated,otherintelligencedealsandcheckswerehiddenfromtheShuraandtheleadershipforalongtime,becauseofwhichTayyabAghawaslateraccusedofdisobedienceandmakingdecisionsindependently,sincehewasnotinfluentialatahighlevelintheTaliban.
ButafterMutawakkilbecameminister,hewasthesecondsecretaryinMullahOmar’soffice.ThefirstsecretarywasAbdulSalamKatib.HisageandpreviousrecorddidnotmakehimatrustedfigureamongTalibanleaders.IntheQatarprocesshiscarelessnessandindependentdecisionswerenotacceptableforimportantShuramembersandTalibancommanders.ButTayyabAghawasproudofhisworkandcarelessabouttheTalibansystem,andbecauseofthishisdistancewiththeTalibanleadershipincreaseduntilhisresignation.
POLITICSANDBEHAVIOUROFIRAN,PAKISTANANDSAUDIARABIAAFTERTHEUSINVASION
PAKISTAN
AfterthecollapseoftheTalibangovernment,thePakistanimilitaryleadershipwasinacoalitionwithAmerica,andUSforceswereprovidedmilitarybasesforcarryingoutbombardmentinAfghanistan.
HamidKarzai,GulAghaSherzai,CommanderAbdulHaqandtensofotherUSsupporterscametoAfghanistanfromPakistanwithitssupportandbeganwaragainsttheTalibanwithUSforces.ThehousesofthesesupporterswereinPakistan,andbefore9/11theyworkedwithUSsupportonestablishingananti-TalibangroupinQuettaandPeshawar.
TalibangroupinQuettaandPeshawar.
ButafterthecollapseoftheTalibangovernment,PakistanwasthesamePakistanwhenafterthemujahideenvictoryahugenumberofofficialsfromtheNajibregimeandtheirsupportersalongwiththeirfamiliesenteredPakistanthroughopenbordersandsentapplicationstotakerefugethroughwesterndelegationsinPeshawarandIslamabad.AftertheTalibanvictorythefleeingcommandersofillegalcheckpointsandafewformerjihadisalsowenttoPakistan.
ThedoorsoftheneighbouringCentralAsianRepublicsandIranwereonlyopenedforAfghansforaverylimitedtime.ButthedoorsofPakistanwerealwaysopenforallAfghans.
AfterthecollapseoftheTalibangovernment,thoseTalibanwhowereunabletoliveinAfghanistanwenttoPakistan.HundredsandthousandsofpeopleworkedintheTalibangovernmentandtheywereapartofAfghanistan.AmericaneverwantedtheenmityofthosepeopleandPakistanalsodidnotwanttotakeactionagainstherepeople,asPakistanwasdoingeverythingonUSinstructionsasacoalitionpartner.
Secondly,allofthesepeoplewerenotwantedbytheUS.ThewantedlistofTalibanpersonnelincludedaround100peoplewhichalsoincludedthosewhoescapeddeathandimprisonmentfromAfghanistan.Theirtraveldocuments,bankaccounts,orotheridentificationdetailswereunavailable.Mostofthemusednicknames,andtheirphotoswerealsonotavailable.
ThepeoplewhocrossedintoPakistanonlywenttheretoprotecttheirhonour.Mostofthemwereinactive.TheylivedinhidinginPakistantoprotectthemselvesandwhentheybecameactiveagain,mostofthemwerepressuredbyPakistan.ThisincludedthegeneralleadershipandMullahOmar’sdeputies.ThegeneralleadersincludingMullahObaidullahandMullahBaradarwerearrested.AkhtarMuhammadUsmaniwasescapingfromPakistanandwasmartyredontheborderbyUSaeroplanes.
TheheadofthemilitarycommissionSardarIbrahim,Shuramemberandin-chargeoftheeconomiccommissionMullahGulAgha,culturalcommissionheadUstadYasir,keyShuramembers,spokespeopleandtensofotherTalib
headUstadYasir,keyShuramembers,spokespeopleandtensofotherTalibcommanderswereimprisonedandtortured.AfewlikeMullahObaidullahandUstadYasirwerekilledinimprisonments.OtherswerehandedovertotheKabulgovernment,andafewwerereleasedfromPakistaniimprisonmentlikeJalaluddinHaqqani’sbrotherandsonHajiKhalilandDrNasiruddinHaqqani.RahbariShuramembersandthemilitarycommissiondeputyAmirKhanHaqqaniwerereleasedbyBaitullahMehsudinexchangeforPakistanArmyofficersandsoldiers.Afewwerereleasedin2014accordingtoanagreementwithHamidKarzai’ssupport.Somearestillalive.
WhenGeneralMusharraf’sgovernmentendedinPakistanandtheTalibanalsoroseupinthecountryasaresistancepoweragainstallexpectations,themistrustbetweenPakistanandtheUSincreased.PakistanbecamemorecarefulinitsstanceontheTalibanandsomewhattemperedtheirpolicyabouttheTaliban.
In2009and2010,PakistanbeganeffortsthroughreligiouscirclestoestablishindirectrelationswiththeTalibanShura.In2010,theTalibanappointedarepresentativeforthisbuttheenvironmentonbothsideswasrifewithsuspicion.
Attheendof2010,amajorchangewasobservedinPakistan’sTalibanpolicywhenTalibanrepresentativeswenttoQatar.PakistanthoughtthattheworldwantstoachieveanunderstandingwiththeTalibansowhyshouldwemissthisopportunity.Pakistantookhigh-levelstepsandreleasedmanyimprisonedTalibanin2014.
ThereisnodoubtthatafewTalibanofficialshadrelationswithPakistanisourcesrightaftertheTalibangovernment’scollapse,buttherelationsofthisgroupwerepersonalandwiththeconsentoftheTalibanleadershipandwithinthelimitsofthesystem.DuetotheserelationsmostofthembecameinfamousanduntrustworthyamongtheTalibanmovement.HoweverPakistaniorganisationswereabletomakethemselvesmoreawareaboutTalibanactivitiesthroughthem.IntheeffortstoarrestmoreTaliban,thesetieswereusedtogainbenefits.USintelligencealsoreceivedbenefitsbecauseofintelligencesharingbyPakistanidepartments.
TheTalibanlaterbecamestrongerindifferentpartsofthecountry,especiallysouthernandwesternAfghanistan,andcapturedseveralareas.ManykeyTalibanleadersjoinedthemilitantsinAfghanistanandtheTalibanalsofoundnew
leadersjoinedthemilitantsinAfghanistanandtheTalibanalsofoundnewcountriestoliveinotherthanPakistan,whichwereinterestedingettinggeopoliticalbenefitsfromtheTaliban.PakistanrealisedthattheycannotforcetheTalibannowtoimplementtheirdecisions,norcantheyweakentheTalibanbyarrestingorexpellingthem.InsteadPakistanthoughtitbeneficialnottomakeakeyplayerinAfghanistantheirenemy.PakistanshouldinsteadfollowacarefulandmorealluringpolicyabouttheTaliban.
OntheotherhandthefencingonthePak-AfghanborderisbeneficialforPakistanandnotfortheUS,norcanthissupportincontrollingorweakeningthewar.Becausenowthemap,powerandweakeningofwarisveryfarfromthatandtheseareoldtactics.Investinginthisprojectisuseless.
Borderrestrictionsandotherexpensivetacticswerenotabletoslowdownthewaroverthepastseventeenyears,andtoimaginethesameafterthatismadness.Butthenewenvironmentandchangesneednewtactics.Thiswarinitscurrentformhasonlycausedregret.
IRANANDSAUDIARABIA
IranhadhugeconflictswiththeTalibangovernmentbutitwasmysteriouslysympathetictotheTalibanaftertheUSinvasionbecauseofitsanti-Americanstance.Ononehand,IranhadclosegoodofficialtiesthroughShi’agroupsowingtowhichIranianinfluenceincreasedinAfghanistanforthefirsttime.Ontheotherhand,becauseoftheiranti-USpolicyaboutUSbasesandtheUSmilitarypresence,IrancaredaboutrelationswiththeTalibanandtheysucceededinestablishingtieswiththeTalibanleadershipandtherealTaliban.
Incomparison,animportantIslamiccountrylikeSaudiArabiawasunabletocreateanyinfluenceintheAfghangovernment,nordiditsucceedinestablishingrelationswithactualTaliban.InsteaditworkedwithmysteriousfakepeopleintheguiseoftheTaliban,becauseSaudiArabiahasnointernalpolicyabouttheAfghanistanissueandtheyblindlyfollowedtheUSpolicyonAfghanistan.AnimportantcountrylikeSaudiArabiashouldhavefocusedonaninternalpolicyonasensitiveissuelikeAfghanistan.
TheTalibancanbarelyclosetheireyestoSaudigovernmentsandcangivethemmorepriority.TheTalibanpreviouslyprioritisedSaudiArabiaamongIslamic
countriesbecauseofideologyandreligion.IrememberthatMullahOmarnevermadeanynegativestatementsaboutSaudileaders,nordidhelikeorsupportanyactivityagainstSaudiArabia.
In2013,HamidKarzai’sbrotherQayyumKarzai,EngineerArifandafewotherAfghansincoordinationwithUSintelligenceandwiththesupportofSaudiofficialsarrangedHajjandUmravisasforafewlow-levelTaliban.TheaimwastogathertheminSaudiArabiaandstartapeaceornegotiationscampaignthroughthem.InsteadofrealTalibanleadersandmembers,theirfocuswasongatheringpeoplewhowerenotassociatedwiththeTaliban,whohadsurrendered,orwereinactiveandunreliable.
TheseUmrasarestillcontinuingbuttheroleofSaudiArabiainAfghanpeaceisstilldubiousandthishasincreasedthedistanceandmistrustbetweentheTalibanmovementandSaudiArabia.SaudiArabiahasnootherachievementbesidesthis.
TALIBANANDINTERNATIONALHUMANRIGHTSORGANISATIONS
DuringtheTalibanrule,allhigh-levelinternationalhumanrightsorganisationsandNGOswereactiveinAfghanistanwithofficesinmajorcities.AfterthecollapseoftheTalibangovernment,themilitantshatedeveryforeigner,especiallyWesternactivistsandorganisations.Thisledtotheseorganisationsfacingproblemsandtherewasnoagreementamongthem.AfewnewNGOswerebusywithnewaimsandobjectives.TheiractivitiesweredubiouswhichcreatedproblemsforallNGOs.Afewlow-levelTalibancommanders,personnelandmembersalsoaskedtheseorganisationsforbribes.Ialsoreceivedinformationaboutafewincidentsofthiskind.
In2005theInternationalCommitteeoftheRedCrosswasassuredoncebyafewlow-levelTalibanontheKabul-Kandaharhighwaythatitsconvoywouldnotbetargetediftheyprovidedataxof$200,000or$300,000oranequivalentamount.
TheagencydirectorAbdulHannanHimmathadamedicineshopin2005undertheframeworkoftheMinistryofInformationandCultureduringTalibanrule,andhewasnotactiveamongtheTalibanatthattime.Withthesupportofanotherfriend,heassuredRedCrescentstaffthatwewilltakeyourrequesttotheTalibanleadershipandtheyhaveagreedtoexchangethisamountofmoney.
theTalibanleadershipandtheyhaveagreedtoexchangethisamountofmoney.
ButthecoordinatorofthisorganisationEngineerNazarMuhammadMutma’in,whosupportedinternationalNGOsinHelmandandKandaharandalsoworkedduringtheTalibanregime,verycleverlyrecordedthediscussionswithAbdulHannanHimmat.
HimmatandhisfriendthoughtthatastheTalibanwillnotattackthisconvoy–becausethesetypesofattacksonhighwaysareuncommonthesedays–theywouldreceiveahugeamountofmoneywhiletheTalibanleadershipwasunaware.
AccidentallythelocalTalibanattackedthisconvoyatthistime.NazarMuhammadMutma’incontactedTalibanleadersthroughotherchannelsandshowedthemAbdulHannanHimmat’srecordedmessages,whowasdisgracedbecauseofhisactivities.
Attheendoftheyear,afterameetingwithMullahObaidullahandMullahBaradaritwasdecidedtohaveabilateralagreementwiththeRedCrescent.TheirrepresentativescontactedtheTalibanleadership.MullahObaidullahandMullahBaradartoldmetowriteadetailedlettertotheorganisationafterconsensuswithafewpeople.AlongwithAbdulLatifMansoorandHajiMohibullah(famouslyknownasHajiLala,andacoordinatorfortheTalibanleadership),IwrotealetterinPashtoatthehouseofMawlawiHamidullahNani.Inthisletterwementionedensuringsupporttotheminsecurityissues,andrequestedabilateralagreementfortreatingourwarwoundedmilitants.TheRedCrescentwasreadyforthis.TheletterwastakenbyDrRahmatullahfromtheTalibansideforEnglishtranslationandhethensentthemthetranslatedletter.
AlinkwaslaterestablishedbetweentheRedCrescentandTalibanleadership.AroundthirtyKoreanChristianfemalepreacherswerereleasedfromtheTalibanprisoninGhaznithroughthesameorganisation’ssupport.TherewereagaineffortsbyafakegroupofdemandingransomandtheyfailedbecausetheRedCrescenthadadirectlinktotheTaliban.
ThestorybeganwhentheformerdeputyofforeignaffairsintheTalibanAbdulRahmanZahidtriedtotake$100,000fromtheRedCrescentinthenameofroutesecurityforthereleaseoftheKoreanwomen.HetriedtousetheTaliban
routesecurityforthereleaseoftheKoreanwomen.HetriedtousetheTalibanleadership’snamebuthedidnotknowthattheorganisationhasdirectlinkswiththeleadership.ThenMullahBaradartoldusaboutthisstory:Whentherepresentativeofthisorganisationinformedmethatoneofyourrepresentativehassuchdemands,ItookhisnumberandwhenIaskedhimonwhosebehalfwasheaskingtheRedCrescentformoney,hesaidasarepresentativeofMullahBaradar.ItoldhimthatIamMullahBaradar.Hewasconfusedafterhearingthis.
In2012-13,amechanismwasadoptedforinternationalhumanitarianorganisationsundertheleadershipofMullahAkhtarMuhammadMansoor,andtheinteractionframeworkwassomewhatimproved.Buttherewerestillmanyhindrances.AsIwasanunofficialadvisortoMullahAkhtarMuhammadMansoor,Ihelpedhiminhumanitarianandpoliticalaffairs.
AfamousregionaljournalistinformedmethatanAfghanandaPakistaniasrepresentativesoftheTalibanaremeetingwithhumanitarianorganisationsbasedinGenevaforthepastfiveyears.Whenweinvestigatedthisissue,weidentifiedthesepeople.OnewasSamiul-Haq,aresidentofNangarhar,andtheotherwasFaisal,aresidentofPakistanwhowasaffiliatedwiththeKashmirigroupJaish-eMuhammad.
UnfortunatelybecauseoftheappearanceandlimitationsofactualTalibanleaders,manyfraudulentpeoplehavestartedmanyfakeprocessesinthenameoftheTaliban.
Wemetwithrepresentativesofthisorganisationandinreality,theyhadtheabilitytomakedirectcontactwithinternationalhumanrightsorganisationsandthiswasagoodopportunity.AkhtarMuhammadMansoortoldmetocontinuemyworkandthereisapossibilityofsuccess.Theheadofthisorganisation[Markachi?]wasanagedBritishmanwhowasintelligentandexperienced.HehadworkedwithKofiAnnaninSyriawhileworkingwiththeUNandthispersonwasanopportunityforus.WeheldmeetingswithWHOandUNHCRintheMiddleEastthroughthisorganisationandmadeprogresstoanextent.Butafewmembersofthemilitarycommission,afewreligiouspeopleandsomeoftheirsupportershadadifferentpointofviewandtheywereverycarefulaboutthis.TherewerediscussionsonutilisationoftheseNGOsforintelligence
this.TherewerediscussionsonutilisationoftheseNGOsforintelligencepurposesbyWesternintelligence.Secondly,theactivitiesofsomepeopleintheorganisationoftheseNGOswasalsosuspicious.Differentevidencewaspresentedbasedonthis.
Buttheseorganisationsarenotforintelligencepurposes,noraretheycreatedbyintelligenceagencies,buttheyhaveaclearmission.Iftheirframeworkismisusedthenthereisnoissuewithaccusingitsadministration.
Everyonetalksabouttheincidentsregardingpoliovaccinationcampaigns.ThefamousstoryisofShakeelAfridiwhospiedfortheCIAaboutOsamabinLadenunderthecoverofpoliovaccinationcampaigns.
AstoryaboutWFPduringtheTalibangovernmentisstilldiscussedbyafewTalibanleaders.InthelastyearsoftheTalibanruletheWFPhadestablishedfreebreadbakeriesforwidowsandpoorwomeninKabul.ThebakerswerealsowomenandthesebakeriesweremonitoredbytheMinistryofSocialAffairs.TheadministrativeheadofthisministryKhanDowranwasaformermilitaryofficerduringtheDaudKhanregime.Hewasacommanderduringthemujahideeneraandlaterbecameageneralinthemujahideengovernment.HewasfamousasHajiKhanDowranamongtheTaliban.HewasnotamullahoraTalibbutareligiouspersonofahighcharacter.
WhentheWFPclosedthesebakeriesforaperiodasaprotest,thesewidowsandpoorwomenprotestedinfrontoftheministry.MasoodaJalalwasmonitoringthisprogrammefromtheWFP’sside.HehadgoodrelationswiththeTalibangovernmentaswell.KhanDowransaysthathewenttotheprotest,andMasoodJalalsentsomeonetohimtosaythatthesewomenweremakingtoomuchnoise,tokindlycontrolthemorcarethemsothattheymoveawayfromthere.KhanDowransaysheandhissubordinatewantedtocontrolandscarethewomenbuttheywerenotawarethattheNGOworkershadsecretcameraswiththemaspartofaplan.
Eventodaythisimageisveryfamousofablackturbanedpersonhittingwomen,anditgivesanimpressionthatthisisanofficialTalibofAmrbilMaroof.ButAmrbilMaroofrarelypunishedwomen,andtheyhitthemontheirheadswhenthesewomenhavenotcoveredthem,whilealltheprotestingwomen’sheads
thesewomenhavenotcoveredthem,whilealltheprotestingwomen’sheadswerecovered.
TheTalibanhadamechanismforpoliovaccinationunderthehealthcommission’sframeworkbutthereweremanyissuesontheground.Themilitarycommissionhadauthorisedeverydistrictmilitarycommandertodecideaboutpoliovaccinations,becauseofwhichthesecampaignswerenotsuccessfulinKunar,NuristanandotherareasbecausethelocalTalibanwereagainstit.InsomeprovincestheTalibansupportedthepoliovaccinationprogramme.
InrealitythisgaveaverybadimpressionoftheTalibantointernationalorganisationsasitshowedthestrongdisorderwithintheTaliban.
Ihelddiscussionswiththeleadershipaboutthis,andwasgivenstrongpromises.ButtheseissuespersistedpracticallyuntilIwaswiththeTalibanmovement.WorkareasbetweenNGOsandhealthcommissionswerealsonotproperlydistributedwhichledtomisunderstandings.
Therewereblindlyissuedverdictsandpropagandaagainsttheactiveingredientsusedinpoliovaccineswithoutanyinvestigation,whichwasnotappropriatewithoutanyclearevidencebyauthenticdoctors.
InHanafijurisprudence,aMuftican’tissueaverdictwithouttheconsultationofanexpertinthesamefield.Forexample,todeclareanymedicineasreligiouslyprohibitedandtoissueaverdictaboutthis,itisrequiredtohaveevidencefromandconsultwithdoctorsthatreligiouslyprohibitedmaterialsareusedinthisspecificmedicine.
Butthepropagandaherewasjustbasedonallegationsandassumptions.ASalafimullahwroteamagazinearticleaboutthereligiousprohibitionofthepoliovaccinewhichwassharedbymanyTalibanbuttheevidencewasbaselessandbasedonfantasiesandemotions.
WeshowedthemverdictsonthevaccinefromAl-Fiqhal-IslamiInternational,DarulUloomHaqqaniaPakistanandtheverdictofMaulanaAbdulGhaznifromChaman.ThesereferencesarereliablefortheTalibanbutpeopleofthiskindstillinsistedontheirbeliefs.HoweverthecentralgovernmentandTalibanleadershiphadnooppositiontovaccinationcampaigns.
Chapter9:Formation/Structureofnewgroupsfor
resistanceandlatestprocesses
THEFIRSTAUDIOTAPEOFMULLAHMUHAMMADOMAR
Inearly2003,MullahMuhammadOmarsentanaudiotapetohismujahideenandTalibandeputies,statinghisappointmentofMullahBaradarAkhundashisfirstleaderandMullahObaidullahashissecondleaderforanewjihadiprocessandresistance.Ilistenedtothiscassette.MullahOmarappointedMullahBaradarAkhundasleadersoftheTalibanmovementandhisdeputies.InanotherstatementhementionedtennamesofShuramembers,includingMawlawiAkhtarMuhammadUsmani,MullahSaifur-RahmanMansoor,MawlawiJalaluddinHaqqani,MawlawiAbdulKabir,MawlawiHamdullahNanay,MullahMuhammadHassanRahmani,MasharMullahMuhammadHassanAkhund,MullahAkhtarMuhammadMansoor,MullahDadullah,andMullahAmirKhanHaqqani.WhenMullahOmarlearnedaboutthemartyrdomofSaifur-RahmanMansoor,heappointedhiscousinAbdulLatifMansoorasaShuramember.Later,ontherecommendationoffriends,thenumberofShuramembersincreasedfromtimetotime.InthistapeMullahOmarusedharshwordsforMullahAbdulJalilandMullahNooruddinTurabibecauseofalittledisobedience.Theseharshstatementswerelaterremovedfromthetapeforthesakeofgoodwill.
AfterthatthemessagesofMullahOmar,tapes,andlettersabouteveryimportantincident,appointmentsandotherinstructions,cametothespecialcirclethatonlyincludedMullahBaradarandMullahObaidullah.
In2004,military,culturalandfinancialcommissionswereestablished,followedbytheappointmentsofpeopleresponsibleforjihadfortheprovinces.In2005,thestructurewasmoreorganisedandafewofthosemaderesponsiblewhowereinhidinguntilthenappeared.
EFFORTSTOESCAPEFROMEXTREMEPOLITICS
AsaspokespersonofMullahOmar,Iheldanonlinepressconferencein2005withwell-knowninternationalmediahouses.ItoldthemabouttheupcomingpolicyoftheTalibanmovement.TherepresentativesofFP,Reuters,andafewotherinternationalmediaoutletscontactedme.Toensurethatthisupcomingpolicyisclear,sensible,andisnotwithoutlimits,IassociatedourstruggleaslimitedtoAfghanistan.IrepeatedouroldstanceabouttheeventsofSeptember11andcondemnedthisincidentonceagain.Thispressconferenceledafewal-QaedafriendsandTalibancommanderstoexpresstheirconcern,butontheotherhanditstrengthenedthefoundationoflimitedstruggleandregularpolitics.
Followingthis,in2006,2007,and2008,IorganisedtheEidmessagesofMullahMuhammadOmarandorganiseditpartlyfrom2010-2012.InthesemessagesImentionednegotiationswithinvaders,suitableproposalsforwithdrawal,andsimilarpoliticalstatements,andsentthemtoMullahOmarwhoapprovedthesemessages.IhadorganisedtheEidmessagefrom1999-2001,soMullahOmartrustedmeinputtingittogetherandmakingadditionstothesemessages.ButthesemessageswerecriticisedinafewTalibancircles.
Ontheotherhand,theregionalal-QaedaleaderHafizSultan,usingamade-upname,sentaletterofreproachtotheTalibanleadershipin2007,declaringthelimitationsofthecurrentjihadandresistanceinAfghanistanandtheuseoftheterm‘Afghanstruggle’asunfaithfulnesswithinternationaljihad.HafizSultanwastheoverallin-chargeofal-QaedainAfghanistanandworkedunderthepseudonymMustafaAbuZaid.HewaskilledinNorthWaziristanonMay21,2010alongwithhisfamilymembersinadroneattack.
IwasconsideredthepersonbehindthesoftpolicystatementsofMullahOmarandsoMullahObaidullahandMullahBaradaraskedmetogiveasuitableresponsetotheletter.Ireadtheletterandkeptitwithmeforadetailedreply.Whilereturning,therewasastrictsecuritycheckinprogress.Iquicklyreadtheletteragainandcheweditupsoitwouldnotbefoundonasecuritypat-down.Thegistoftheletterwasinmymind.Inadetailedresponse,IwroteaboutthecompulsionsoftheTalibanmovementandontheotherhandprovidedjustificationaboutthecurrentneedsandconditions.Itriedtoconvincethem;butIneverhadanynewsoftheirresponseorreaction.
WEAKRESISTANCE
TheabsenceofTalibanleadership,recruitingyoungnewmen,andindividualactionsbecamethecauseofbadincidents,suspiciouskillingsandpunishments.Actsliketheburningofschools,killingpeopleaccusedofspyingwithoutatrial,andannoyingpeopleinonewayoranotherwerecarriedoutindifferentpartsofAfghanistaninthenameoftheTaliban.
EventhoughMullahOmarandtheShuraissuedinstructionsin2007and2008,manypeopleandminorcommandersdonotfollowthese.Thiswasdisobediencetotheleader.IamwitnessofadozendeathsofyoungandoldpeopleinmyareawhichcannotbejustifiedbythelocalTalibanandleadershipinSharia.TheseactivitiesbecameanexcuseformanytojoinArbakisandsupportthegovernmentandforeignforces.SometimesthecrimeofoneArbakiledtothekillingofhisfamilymembers.
WheneverwecomplainedabouttheseactivitiestotheTalibanleadershiptheypromisedtoinvestigateandalsosaidthereisalikelihoodofsuchincidentsinawarlikethis,butwewilltrytocontrolit.Unfortunatelytheimpactandresponsibilityofthisisnotsosmallthatitcanbedeclaredashavingoccurredintheconfusionofthebattlefield.Themurderofoneinnocentpersondirectlyimpactstheoverallgoal.SometimesAfghansweretreatedharshly,likein2007,duringanexchangewithItalianstheAfghantranslatorAjmalNaqshbandiwaskilledandtheItalianswerereleased.ThiswasaverygraveincidentbutnoonelistenedtousuntilAjmal’slastbreath.
Withtimeitbecameobligatorytofollowrules,andcourtswereestablished.Theissueofthemurdersofspieswasverycomplexandforthisreasonsomecontrolwasbroughttobear.Similarly,apositivemoralapproachandruleswereintroducedaboutcommonandpublicspacesandeducationalinstitutions.ButcarelessnessandirresponsibilitycanstillbeobservedintheTalibanaboutthekillingsofgovernmentofficialsandbombblasts.
Theneedforlenience,forgiveness,andcarefulnessisstillfeltinthiswar.InafewareastheregionalTalibancommandershaveaverypositiveattitudetowardspeoplebutinafewpeoplethisisstillnotthecase.
AttheoutsetMullahOmarwasnotafanofsuicideattacks,butwhenthese
AttheoutsetMullahOmarwasnotafanofsuicideattacks,butwhentheseattacksincreasedheissuedadecreethatthesuicideattackersshouldnotbetooyoungandthetacticonlyusedinspecialplaceswherenootheractionispossible.Heopposedthesetypesofattacksinpublicplacesuntiltheend.
AKBARAGHA’SJAISHUL-MUSLIMEEN
MuhammadAkbarAghawasaresidentofJelahor(Arghandab)villageinKandahar.HeisthecousinoftheformerTalibangovernorforKhostHajiAbdullahAgha(TorakAgha).AkbarAghaalsoparticipatedinthejihadagainstSovietsandalsoservedasalow-levelmilitarycommanderintheTaliban.DuringtheTalibanrule,thePakistanConsulatewasacrosstheroadfromtheTalibanoffice.AtthattimeMullahOmarorderedthatnoonewouldgotothePakistanConsulatewithoutthepriorpermissionofthedepartmentofForeignAffairs.Ablack4x4vehiclewasattheconsulatedooranddroppedoffablack-beardedpersonthere.OnedayIaskedabouttheperson.FriendstoldmethattheyarerelativesofTayyabAgha,hisnameisAkbarAghaandhehasaspecialrelationshipwithPakistaniofficialsdatingfromjihaddays.HedoesnotvisittheconsulateasarepresentativeoftheTaliban.
IheardAkbarAgha’snameafter2005,whenheestablishedamilitarygroupcalledJaishul-Muslimeen.WiththesupportofafewKashmirigroupsandmen,especiallytheJaish-eMuhammadKashmirigroup,theyweretryingtobeginactivities.TheyhadnoinfluenceinAfghanistanbuthadtieswithinactiveformerTalibanofficials.Theyalsoorganisedafewsmallcommanders.InafewstatementshesaidthatMullahOmarcannotworkanymoreandthemovement’sactivitiesareimpossibleasPakistanalsodoesnotwanthimsopeopleshouldstandwithme.AtthattimemanyconsidereditajokeastohowTalibanfighterswouldjointhisuntrustworthypersonwhileMullahOmarwaspresent.
AkbarAgha’sresistanceorderwasverysimplebecausehethoughtthatPakistaniofficialswouldstrengthenhimagainsttheTaliban,asafewsourceshadpromised.TherewereafewimportantincidentsforwhichtheTalibandidnottakeresponsibility;AkbarAghacalledjournalistsandclaimedthese,whichcirculatedJaishul-Muslimeen’snameinthemedia.
AkbarAghawasaccusedintheincidentofkidnappingforeignwomeninthenorth,inwhichAkbarAghaandtheAfghanmafiawasinvolved.Thisworsened
north,inwhichAkbarAghaandtheAfghanmafiawasinvolved.ThisworsenedthesituationasAkbarAghahadopenlycommunicatedonthetelephone,andforeignerspressurisedPakistanandgaveevidence.ThiswaswhyPakistaniagencieshandedoverAkbarAghatotheAmericans,andwhyhewaslaterhandedovertotheAfghangovernment.Withthis,theJaishul-Muslimeenalsodisbanded.
CONTINUATIONOFTHEEDUCATIONPROCESS
In2006wesucceededindrawingtheattentionoftheTalibanleadershiptotakingpositivestepsforeducationalinstitutions.Eventhoughitseemslikeithasbeenasuccessnow,atthattimeitfacedfundamentalobstacles.TheleadershipwasunabletoplanoutastrategycompatiblewithconditionswhileontheotherhandmanyregionalfighterswerestillnotfollowingMullahOmar’sinstructions.ThepolicyofafewTalibancommandersforyearshadbeentocloseschools,andthismightstillbethecase.
Buttheonethingthatwesucceededinatthattimewastodevelopapositivefocustowardseducation.Attheendof2006,afterlengthydiscussionswithMullahBaradarandMullahObaidullah,itwasdecidedthattheTalibanwouldusetheircurriculuminareasthatwerecompletelyundertheircontrol.AtthattimetheTalibanhadpartialcontroloververyfewdistricts.Therewasprogressonthisfrontandaftertwoyearstheeducationandtrainingcommissionwasestablished.
TherewasanadvancedprograminmindbutthecontrollerofthefinancialbudgetMu’tasimAghaJanopposedthisandconsideredthisamounttobemoresuitableforwar.
AtthattimeasmallgroupofleadersbroughtvideosofthekillingsofgovernmentsupportersandsoldierstoMu’tasim.InexchangeMu’tasimgavethemmoney.Theseunknownmilitantsalsoincludedafewwhoburnedgirls’schoolsdownandreceivedmoneyfromMu’tasim.
Thedifferentregionsandzonesposedanotherdifficulty.TheTalibanfromafewareastheTaliban’spolicywasneglected.AfewplaceslikeLogarandsomeofGhazniareastheTaliban’spolicywasofneglect.Afewopenlyopposedthispolicy,liketheTalibanofZabulandHelmand.Theiroppositionwasduetotheir
policy,liketheTalibanofZabulandHelmand.Theiroppositionwasduetotheirmoodandtemperament,andnotbasedonideology,belief,oranIslamicedict.Iissuedapolicytothespokespersons’committeethattheywillnottakereportsofburninggirls’schoolsorclinicssothattheywouldbediscouragedandavoidsuchactivitiesinthefuture.
SPOKESPERSONS’COMMITTEE
In2006,theTaliban’smilitaryandpoliticalspokespersonMuftiLatifullahHakeemiwasarrestedandhandedovertotheKabulgovernment.MullahBaradarsentmeamessagetohelphimonthisfront.ItoldhimthatIcouldnottakeonthisresponsibility,butIcouldannounceafewpoliticalandregularstatements.Ididnotagreetoissuemilitarystatementsbecauseoffear;andIalsoconsideredafewactivitiesofTalibanmilitaryoperationstobeirresponsibleandwrong.HetoldmetoprepareastrategyandthatwouldbefineifIonlymadepoliticalannouncements.
Accordingtotheinstructionsoftheleadership,Iintroducedtwopeopleasspokespersons:MyoldfriendQariYousafwasappointedmilitaryspokespersonforthesouth-westandnorth-west.DrHanif,whowasintroducedbytheculturalcommissionandwasaformercolleagueofUstadYasir,wasnamedasthemilitaryspokespersonforthesouthern,eastern,andnorth-eastprovinces.Deputyspokespeoplewerealsoappointedwhowouldreplacethemintheeventofarrestordeath.
Weestablishedanewmediapolicyandreceivedapprovalfromtheleadership.AsanexampleIwillmentiontheimportantpointsaboutHizb-eIslamiandHekmatyarhere.
Inthespokespersonscommitteeweadoptedapolicyof‘nocomment’regardingHizb-eIslamiandHekmatyar,andfortunatelythispolicywaspractisedevenafterme.Webelievedthatbecauseofhismoodandafewotherreasons,HekmatyarstronglycriticisedtheTalibanfromtimetotime.Ifwerespondedtohim,itwoulddamagetheactualgoaloffightingthishugeinternationalinvasion.Ontheotherhandifwegotinvolvedinthiscontest,wewouldallsufferlossesanditwouldbenefitourenemy.AfewTalibanleadersalsostoppedusfromgivingstatementsinfavourofHekmatyar’spoliciesagainsttheinvaders.TheysaidtheycouldnottrustHekmatyarashealwayschangeshisstatements.Ifhe
saidtheycouldnottrustHekmatyarashealwayschangeshisstatements.Ifhestopstheresistanceandswitchessidesthenourendorsementofhisstatementswillbeasourceofsatireagainstus.
Unfortunately,lateronduetoarticlesontheinternet,Facebookcontests,andtheharshpropagandabyyoungTalibansupportersandHekmatyarsupportersworsenedtheenvironmentasHekmatyarconsideredthesearticlestobeTalibanpolicy.Inreactionheusedveryinappropriatelanguage.TheculturalcommissionoftheTalibanrequestedtheseFacebookyouthtoavoidthisbuttonoavail.
WhenHekmatyartalkedagainsttheTalibanthenhisstatementswerepromotedbygovernmentsourcesandwesternmedia.TheywantedtospuronHekmatyarandhissupportersagainsttheTaliban.
Thesmallspokespersons’committeewasveryorganisedandsuccessfulintermsofactivities.Howeverfinancialconstraintshadanegativeimpact.AtthattimetheTalibanmovementwasfacingfinancialdifficultiesandontheotherhandwehadnodirectpersonaltieswiththeleadership.AtthetimeoftheEmirateweweredirectlyincontactwithMullahOmar,andafterthecollapseoftheEmiratewewereintouchwiththeleadershipascommonfriends.Butunfortunatelyitisveryusualtohavelinksthroughpersonalfriendship.Thismeanttherewasnofocusonmyappointedcommittees.Theywerenotevengivenahundreddollarsassatellitetelephoneexpenseseverymonth,andsoIrequestedthemtohavesomepatience.Buttheywerestillindangerwhentheyhadnosatellitecreditcard;theywenttonearbycitiesandusedacellphone.AtthattimemobilephoneservicesinAfghanistanwerenotasadvanced,butinPakistanmobilephonecompanieshadwidecoverage.
Thesespokespeopleweretracedbytheircellphones;onenearJalalabadcity,andtheotherwasarrestedinPakistan.
AfghanintelligencereleasedDrHaniffromprisonashewassufferingfromcancer.Afterafewmonths,agroupofmilitantsenteredhishouseinJalalabadatnightandmartyredhimalongwithtwoofhiscousins.HisyoungerbrotherswereimprisonedinPakistanandreleasedafterayear.ThesecondspokespersonwasarrestedinPakistanandreleasedaftersevenyearsofimprisonmentinaconditionofbeingunwellandhavinghadsurgeryonhiseyesatayoungage.
Afterthearrestofthespokespersonstheirdeputiescarriedontheirwork.Attheendof2007Ileftthisworkandstartedmyprivatelife,andhaltedmyrelationswitheveryone.In2012,MullahAkhtarMuhammadMansooraskedmeforsupport,butIdidnotacceptanyresponsibility.Ihelpedandadvisedhimonpoliticalaffairstemporarily.
In2015,MullahAkhtarMuhammadMansoorwasselectedasleaderbytheTalibanShura.Isharedthisinformationwiththemedia.HewasmartyredbyaUSdronethefollowingyear.AfterthisIpreferredtostayhomeandIdonothaveanyjobintheTalibannow.
WorkingasaspokespersonoftheEmirateortheTalibanleaderisverydifficult,astheAfghanistanmediaisdirectlyorindirectlyunderthecontroloftheWest,whichmeansourvoicesdonotreachtheworldaswewant.SometimeslocalmediarepresentativesattributedfalsestatementsorexaggeratedstatementstotheTaliban.DuringthecrisesintheTalibangovernmentIwasthespokespersonfortheleadership,andatthattimetheinternationalmediaincludingReuters,AP,FrancePress,BBC,andVoiceofAmericapublishedourstatements.Pakistaninewspaperssimilarlypublishedournews.AfterthecollapseoftheTalibangovernmentwewentundergroundandifanyoneattributedsomefalsenewstouswewereunabletodenyorcorrectit.DuringtheTalibangovernmentitwasattributedtomethatthehijackerswenttoPakistan;buttheywereinKandaharandIneversaidanythingaboutthistoanyone.Iwassurprised.
In2006,thePakistanijournalistSaleemSaficontactedmeonthephoneandaskedmeaboutthepossiblesupportofPakistan.ItoldhimthatPakistansupportsAmericaandNATObyprovidingalogisticsrouteandmilitaryairports.ButinsteadSafiwrotethatMutmainsays‘Pakistanisourenemy.’Therewasahugedifferencebetweenourstatements.HeinterpretedthisfortheinterestofPakistanwhichledtoangeramongthePakistanireligiousclass.
TherewasanewsitempublishedwithmyreferencethatsaidAmericansareconvertingAfghanstoChristianity.Ineverthoughtthis,IhadinsteadsaidthatAmericanswanttocoloniseAfghanistanandcontrolourvaluableresources.Theyonlyutilisereligiousemotionsasaweapon.
IMPRISONMENTOFMULLAHOMAR’SDEPUTY
InJanuary2007,MullahObaidullahwasbusypurchasingweaponswhenhewasarrestedbyPakistaniintelligenceinBalochistan.AccordingtoMullahOmar’sinstructions,MullahObaidullahservedashisseconddeputy.ButhehadalsoparticipatedinthejihadagainsttheSovietsasaclosefriendofMullahOmarandsowasveryinfluentialamongmilitants,hewasalsoresponsibleforwarissues.
Hewasverycourageousandastrong-willedman.OncehesaidinameetingthatifyouwanttobeindependentinthewaragainsttheUSinvasion,allleaderssittinghereincludingmyselfshouldbereadyasofnowforimprisonmentanddeath.Thenthosewhoremainwillwinthiswarandoursacrificewillprovidethemafoundation,determination,andaspiritforbattle.
AccordingtohisfellowprisoninmateshewastorturedforalongtimetoadmitthatheisMullahObaidullah,theTaliban’sdeputyleader,buthedeniedallthis.
AneyewitnessinprisonAminul-Haqsaysthathewasthrownfromahighwalltotheothersideamidus.Buthestillremainedquiet.AfterafewdaysIhadachancetospeaktohim.HesaidthesecolonelstellmetoacceptthatIamObaidullah,ifyouownuptoittheAmericanswillgiveusareward.Itoldmyselfthatyouwillnevergetthisaward.
Untilthenhisphotowasnotavailableandpeopledidnotrecognisehim.Aftersometimehewasidentifiedwiththehelpofotherprisonersandspies.Thistypeoftorturerevealsthathesacrificedhislifebecauseofthis.ButafterhisdeathPakistaniofficialssentamessengertotheirfamilysayingthathepassedawaybecauseofheartdisease.HediedonAugust5,2010inasecretprison.HisfamilyandtheTalibanleadershiponlylearnedabouthisdeathafteralongtime.
THEARRESTOFMULLAHABDULGHANIBARADAR
AfterMullahObaidullah’sarrest,MullahAbdulGhaniBaradarwastheonlyadministrativeheadoftheTalibanandhereceivedspecificinstructionsfromMullahOmar.ButlaterbyadecreeofMullahOmar,MullahAkhtarMuhammadMansoorwasappointedasMullahBaradar’sdeputy.
MullahBaradarwasamodest,serious,andquietperson.HewaspresentduringthecollapseoftheTalibangovernmentandtookpartindirectcombatwithUS
thecollapseoftheTalibangovernmentandtookpartindirectcombatwithUSforcesandlocalmilitias.In2003hewasseriouslyinjuredinUruzgan.HisfriendssecretlytookhimtoahospitalinBalochistanfortreatment.HehadnotfullyrecoveredwhenMullahOmarappointedhimdeputyinanaudiomessage.
EvenduringhistenureasadeputyheparticipatedinbattleandoncefacedheavybombardmentinKandahar’sPanjwaidistrict.HewasverysimilarinsomewaystoMullahOmar,withhisserious,quietandsimplenature.Helivedaverysimplelife.
AfterMullahObaidullah’sarrestin2007,ShuramembersadvisedMullahBaradartobeverycareful.In2009,heselectedapartofKarachitoreside.Insteadoftelephonecallshemostlyusedtextmessagesandwasonlyincontactwithafewimportantpeople.Butitissaidthathewasfoundoutbasedonveryhigh-levelespionage.OneofhissonswasgettingareligiouseducationinafamousPakistanimadrassa,anditissaidthathissonwasfollowedfromthesamemadrassasinceitwasundertheinfluenceandmonitoringofPakistaniintelligence.Hewasarrestedinearly2010whenhesecretlyvisitedanotherplacewithoutinforminghisfamily.Itisthoughtthathewasunderstrictsurveillance.
Afterhisarresthewasbadlytorturedinthebeginning.In2013,afewTalibanmessengerswereofficiallyallowedtomeethim.ThisdelegationincludedMawlawiShahabuddinDilawarwhosaid:MullahBaradartoldmethatIhavebeentorturedtoomuch;IwouldnotwishsuchtortureonmyAmericanenemiesbecauseahumanisatleastahuman.isatleastahuman.
MullahMuhammadOmartoldShuramembersandotherPakistan-basedimportantTalibanpersonalitiesthroughmessengerstonothavegatheringsinPakistanortrustPakistaniofficials.
During2006–2011,PakistanarrestedmanyTalibanofficialsandafewclosefriendsofMullahOmarwerealsoarrestedafterastrongchase.AtthattimePakistaniofficialsthoughtitwaspossiblethatMullahOmarwasinPakistan,andweresuspiciousbecauseofthepresenceofhiscloserelativesinKarachi.ButtheserelativeslastsawMullahOmarin2011whentheywereinKandaharandwereunawareofhiswhereabouts.ThisinvestigationledPakistantoarrestafewclosefriendsofMullahOmartogetaclueabouthimorhismessenger.Oneof
closefriendsofMullahOmartogetaclueabouthimorhismessenger.OneofthosefriendswasMullahGulAgha,aHelmandresidentandafriendofMullahOmarfromtheSovietjihadera.DuringTalibanrulehestayedinhisofficeasaverytrustworthyfriend.
GulAghasaysthathewastorturedterriblyforafewmonthsforMullahOmar’slocations.WhenitwasconfirmedthatMullahOmarwasnotinPakistan,thentheytorturedmeandaskedabouthismessengers.IknewaboutafewofthemessengersbutIwithstoodthetortureanddidnotacceptanything.AfterIrecovered,theAmericansbegantheirinvestigationIbecameseriouslyillbecauseoftuberculosisandwastakentothehospital.Thedoctorssaidheisverysickandwillonlyliveforashorttime.Hisweightwentdownfrom110kgto50kg.
GulAghasaysthatontherecommendationofthedoctortheyreleasedmeanddumpedmeinQuetta.IwenttomybrotherwhowaslivinginarentedhouseinQuettaandenteredtheguesthouse.Afewchildrensawmeinsideandtoldmybrotherthatsomeunknownpersonisintheguesthouse.WhenmybrothercameheaskedmewhoIwas.IsaidIwasGulAgha,buthesaidGulAghawasn’thereandhadbeeninpersonforalongtime.Afterlookingcloselyherecognisedme.HewashappythatIwastherebutsaddenedbymycurrentcondition.
GulAgharecoveredafteralongtreatmentbuthishealthisnotlikeitwasbefore.HeisanailingTalibanleaderworkinginHelmandandKandaharasafinancialin-chargeoftheTaliban.
THEILLNESSANDDEATHOFMULLAHMUHAMMADOMAR
AfteralltheTalibanhadevacuatedKandahar,MullahOmarleftthecitywithafewfriends.HewenttoSarkhoganoinZabulandheldameetingtherewithregionalTalibancommandersanddistributedmoneyamongthemtorestartjihadactivities.Mostofthesecommandersarenolongeralive,includingMullahAbdulRazzaqNafiz,MullahRoziKhanandMullahMuhammadGulNiazi.
MullahOmarthenintendedtobeginjihadalongwithhissmallgroupinZabul.ItissaidthatheparticipatedinafewarmedclashesbutintheendafewofhisfriendstoldhimthatyourpresenceisalifelinefortheentireTalibanmovement.Yourmilitaryoperationsarenotasimportantasleadership.Duetotheadviceof
Yourmilitaryoperationsarenotasimportantasleadership.Duetotheadviceofhisfriends,andwiththesupportofafewdevotedfriends,heselectedamountainousareatolive.Heinitiallyselectedahouseofoneofhisdevotees,andafterawhileselectedanotherhouseandchoseasmallandsimpleroom.Abathroomandaplaceforablutionwasalsoconstructedbesidethisroom.MullahOmarremainedinthishouseuntilhisdeath.
In2003,MullahOmarsentanaudiotapetohismujahideenandTalibanleadersinwhichheappointedMullahBaradarAkhundandMullahObaidullahashisdeputiesforanewjihadiprocessandresistance.Ilistenedtothiscassette.InanotherstatementheappointedtenpeopleasShuramembers.
IlistenedtoasecondtapebyMullahOmarin2007onwhichheusedharshwordsforMullahBakht,abrotherofMullahDadullah.MullahBakhtlaterbecamefamouswiththenameMansoorDadullah.TwoofMullahDadullah’sclosefriends–MullahNasimandMullahAbdulBari–accusedMullahBakhtofthemartyrdomofMullahDadullahinanAmericanaerialbombing.Afterafewdaysoftorture,MullahBakhtwantedthemtonamehigh-rankingTalibanofficials’involvementinthemartyrdomofMullahDadullah.InthelistoftheseofficialswerethenamesofthoseTalibanleaderswhohadnotjoinedtheTalibanafterthefallofthegovernment.MullahOmarreceivedthisinformationandthoughtitwasaconspiracytoeliminateallimportantEmiratemembers.Hesentanaudiomessageintwoparts.InonemessagehetoldthefriendsofMullahDadullahthathewasarealmujahidandmartyredinthesamepath.Idon’tknowhisbrotherandIdonotallowhimintheTalibanmovement.Ihavenotseenapersonasblatantlike‘MullahBakht–MansoorDadullah’.ThefriendsofMullahDadullahAkhundshouldsittogetherandselectaleaderamongyourselves.
ThesecondmessagewasforBaitullahMehsudinWaziristan.InthemessagehesaidthatthiscruelpersoncapturedtwoTalibanandisforciblymakingthemacknowledgedifferentfalsifiedstatements.Youreleasethesepeoplefromhimandinvestigatethemfreely.IftheyarecriminalsthenpunishthemaccordingtoSharialaw,otherwisereleasethem.BaitullahMehsudthentriedtofreethesepeoplefromhimbutwhenMullahBakht(MansoorDadullah)learnedaboutthishebeheadedthembothandescapedfromWaziristan.
ThefriendsofMullahDadullahappointedtheirleader.MullahMansoorDadullahgotthesupportofafewKakaryouthbasedontriballinks.HewasseenintheZhobandQillaSaifullahareaofBalochistanalongwithhismilitantsinvehicles.ItissaidthatafeweldersoftheKakartribealsosupportedhimandgaveassurancestothegovernmentabouthim.HissupportersattemptedafailedattackagainstMaulanaMuhammadKhanSheraniofZhob.OnFebruary11,2008,hewasinjuredinaclashwithPakistanisecurityforcesandarrested.OnJanuary14,2015,hewasreleasedbyPakistaniofficialsalongwithotherTaliban.Fourdayslater,hewenttotheKhakAfghanareaofZabulandonJanuary18,2015,herevealedthereasonsforhisreturntothemedia.OnNovember11,2015,hewaskilledinKhakAfghanalongwithfourmilitantsinaclashwiththeTaliban.HisfuneralprayerswereperformedbytheTalibanspecialgroupleaderPeerAgha.
Afewofhisfriendssaythathewasvengeful,pronetomischiefandenjoyedbrutalityandmurders.Hewaseasilydeceived.Heinitiallybecamesuspiciousabouthisbrother’sdeathbecauseoflettershereceivedfromAfghanintelligence,buthelaterdeniedthis.WhenhewasimprisonedinPakistan,therewereotherimprisonedTalibanwithhim.Theysaid:wetoldhimnottotalkaboutMullahOmarinfrontofusbuthetoldoneofhisfriendsthatifhegotachancehewoulddefinitelykillMullahMuhammadOmar.
Attheendof2009,IlistenedtoavideomessageofMullahOmar.Hisvoicewasveryweakanditlookedlikehewassick.Hewastalkingwithdifficulty.ThevideowasabouttheremovalofMu’tasimAghaJan.MullahOmarsaidinthismessagetoMullahBaradarthatMullahAghaJanandMullahAbdulJalilshouldnolongerhavepositionsintheTaliban.MullahOmarwasangrybecauseAghaJanwithdrewmoneyfromAfghanistanBankanddidnotgivethemoneytotheTalibanmovement.Secondly,heusedfinancialresourcesforhispersonaluse.MullahOmar’sangerwascausedbyhissecretrelationsandcooperationwiththeneighbouringcountry.
MullahBaradarandhisdeputyMullahAkhtarMuhammadMansoorremovedhimfromfinancialaffairsandappointedhimheadofthepoliticalcommissionforthesakeofgoodwill.ButAghaJanbeganeffortsfromthisplatformforapositioninfinancialaffairs.AtthattimeTayyabAghareceivedpermissionand
positioninfinancialaffairs.AtthattimeTayyabAghareceivedpermissionandauthorityfromMullahOmartogetfundsfromMiddleEasterncountriesbutAghaJanwascreatinghurdles.TherewasconflictbetweenMu’tasimAghaJanandTayyabAgha.MullahBaradarsentamessageofcomplainttoMullahOmarandaskedforfeedback.
WHOWASMU’TASIM?
AfewmonthsaftertheconquestofKabul,afewculturedfriendswereattheInformationandCultureDirectorateinKandahar.AtallyoungguyenteredourroomwithMutawakkil.Hesattherequietlyforalmosttenminutesbutdidnotsayanythinguntiltheend.Hegotupandlefttheroomwithoutmakinghisexcuses.MutawakkillaughedthatAghaJanhasbeenaskingmeforafewdaystotakehimtotheInformationandCultureDirectoratesohecanlearntotalktopoetsandwriters.Ibroughthimherebuthe’sescapedfromthegathering.
AghaJanMu’tasim’srealnamewasAbdulWasih,andhewasintroducedtoMullahOmarbyhisjihadifriendMullahGulAghaduringTalibanrule.HewasinitiallyMullahOmar’sbodyguardbutlatergainedhistrust.FromthenonwardhewasveryobedienttoMullahOmar.Whilewithfriends,heoncesaidthatthe“Amirul-Mu’mineenisaverymercifulpersonality.”HisfriendslaughedbecauseinourterminologythiswordisusedforGod.
Thisobediencewasthereasonforhisappointmenttodifferentimportantpositions.ButafterthecollapseoftheTalibangovernment,hemadejokesaboutMullahOmarwalkingonthebeachinKarachi.
Accordingtomyobservation,hewasuneducated,andfondofpowerandluxury.Unfortunatelyhisattitudewasdictatorialandwasdependentonothersingovernmentaffairs.ButintheTalibanmovementhisworstdefectwasthemisuseoffundswhichledtoMullahOmar’sanger.Butingeneralhewastalentedandmotivated,andhadcontrolovermoneywhichwashispositiveside.Butunfortunatelytherewereafewannoyingelementsinhispersonallife.
Hisclosefriendstellstrangestoriesabouthim.Mostofhisfriendssaythatheusedtobeathisfatherbecausehedidn’tagreewithhim.HisclosefriendMullahBakhtur-RahmanZakirisays:heoncewenttoAndhkoydistrictinFaryabaspartofadelegation.Heabusedthepolicecommanderthere,andwasbeatenupbythepolicecommanderandhiscolleagues.
bythepolicecommanderandhiscolleagues.
MullahAhmadJan,afriendfromTayyabAgha’soffice,says:IwasdrivingwithMu’tasimfromKandahartoKabul.MullahOmaraskedhimontheradiowhodugupthegraveofIsmatMusliminKhirqaSharifgraveyard.ThisisverycheapandnotIslamic.
Heflippantlyreplied:IdidthisbecauseMullahGhazitoldmetodoso.MullahOmarswitchedtheradiooffinanger.
Thesestoriesarefromhisfriendswhoarestillintouchwithhimanddonothaveanyrivalry,andtheyrepeatedthesestoriesasajoke.
Beatingup,threatening,andabusingofficialswasthenormforMu’tasim.AfewofourclosefriendsobjectedtowhyMullahOmargivesimportancetoMullahKhaksarandMu’tasimastheyweresometimesinvolvedinsuchshockingandnegativeactsthatwereoutsidethescopeoftheirwork.
AfterthecollapseoftheTalibangovernment,Mu’tasimtransferredthefinancialbudgetoftheTalibanandnevergaveittoMullahOmar.Hegotthesupportofafewpeopleinexchangeformoneyandexpenses.HehadspecialofficialswhoweregivenspecialsalariesthatwerethreetimesmorethanthatgiventoTalibanofficials.
WhenMullahBaradarsentthemessageaboutMu’tasim,MullahAkhtarMuhammadMansoorsaidhowwillweanswerMullahOmarashetoldusnotgivehimanypositionbutweappointedhimtheleaderofthepoliticalcommission.
Inanaudiomessage,MullahOmarannouncedhisremovalfromfinancialaffairsandaccusedhimofdisobedienceandinterferenceinfinancialmatters.Mu’tasimthenwenttoKarachi.InAugust2010,hewasseverelyinjuredinamilitantattack.AftersometimehefirstwenttoKabulandlatertoTurkey.
Theaudiomessagehadasenseofdepressionalongwithwhatseemedlikeanger.AtonepointintheaudiomessageMullahOmarsaid:Whichleaderwouldfinditacceptablethatthefinancialaffairsin-chargeusestrustfundsforpersonaluse?
Itwasveryclearfromthismessagewasthathisvoiceshowedthesignsofa
Itwasveryclearfromthismessagewasthathisvoiceshowedthesignsofarespiratorytractorchestinfectionorthesymptomsofillness.AfewclosefriendsofMullahOmarstillhavetheseaudiocassettes.
MullahOmar’smessengerusedtofirstgotoanotherdistrict,thenhesharedthemessagewiththeothermessenger,andsometimesthehosttookMullahOmaronamotorcycletomeetwiththemessengertensofkilometresaway.ThemessengersimilarlyreceivedMullahOmar’saudiotapes.Thiswasdonewithintwomonthsitsometimesittookmoretimeaswell.Whentherewasanewincident,themessengerthentriedtoexchangemessageswithinaweekortendays.
MullahOmarwasseverelyillin2013.Hishostfirstbroughtinareliablelocaldoctorbutthediseasecouldnotbecontrolled.Hetoldthehostthatthispersonneedsdetailedtestsandtreatment.ThemessengerhadnotvisitedduringthosedaysandthehostwantedtoinformhisfamilyandtheTalibanleadershipabouthiscondition.ThehosttravelledandinformedhisfamilyaboutMullahOmar’shealth.HetoldMullahOmar’ssonMawlawiMuhammadYaqoobandhisstepbrotherMullahAbdulManan.TheyplannedtovisitMullahOmarandlefthomeinthelateafternoonandtravelledthroughthenight.ThenextdaytheyreceivedthenewsthatMullahOmarhadpassedaway.
MullahOmarpassedawayonApril24,2013.Hissonandbrotherwentthereafterafewdaysandburiedhim.Theysaidthathisbodywasundamagedbuttherewereeffectsofthesevereillness.
AccordingtoMullahOmar’ssonandbrother,theyhadbeenawareofhisillnessforayearbutdidnotconsiderittobeserious.ThehostsaidthatMullahOmarhadachestinfectionforafewyearsandthemedicinegivenbylocaldoctorshadnopositiveeffects.MullahOmarwasalsonotinterestedinthetreatmentandconsideredthistobenormal.Whentheillnessgrewinseverity,hedidnotallowustotakehimsomewhereelse.Bytheendhiswholebodywasinpainwhichwasthesymptomofextremetuberculosis.Henevercomplainedaboutthediseaseuntilhisdeath.
MullahOmarleftbehindfourwives,fourteenchildren(onedaughterandthirteensons.)WhenMullahOmarwenttoZabulattheendof2001hepreferred
thirteensons.)WhenMullahOmarwenttoZabulattheendof2001hepreferredtolivealoneandexceptforhismessengers,henevermetanyofhisfamilymembersorTalibanleadersuntilhisdeath.
HiseldersonMawlawiMuhammadYaqoobsays:MullahOmarhadabriefconversationwithmein2001overasatellitetelephone.Iwastooyoungandmyheartmeltedafterhearinghisvoice;Icried.Inthelastmessagesheaskedthefamilymembersforpatience,tobesteadfastandhaveareligiouslife,andinstructedthemtoprovidereligiouseducationfortheirchildren.
INFORMATIONOFMULLAHOMAR’SDEATHTOTHETALIBANLEADERSHIP,THEMEETINGOFISLAMICSCHOLARSANDTHEBEGINNINGOFCONFLICT
AfterthedeathofMullahOmar,hissonMawlawiYaqoobandstepbrotherMullahAbdulMannanfirstinformedMawlawiAbdulHakeem,theheadofDarul-Ifta,andtheheadofthejudiciaryMawlawiHaibatullahAkhundzada.TheytoldthemthatintheabsenceofanAmir,theactivitieshavenoSharialimitsoweshouldappointanAmirinsecretoropenly.SheikhAbdulHakeem,SheikhAbdulSalam,MawlawiHaibatullahAkhundzada,MawlawiYaqoob,MullahAbdulMann,theformerin-chargeofMullahOmar’sofficeAbdulSalamKatibandMullahOmar’smessengergathered.TheyinvitedMullahOmar’sdeputyMullahAkhtarMuhammadMansoorandinformedhimofMullahOmar’sdeath.
Hesaidthisisnottheauthorityofafewpeopletotakeeverydecisionaboutthismajorevent;allShuramembersshouldbeinvolvedinthisprocess.MullahAbdulMananandtheotherSheikhstheretoldMullahMansoorthatifitisdonethatwaythenMullahOmar’sdeathwillnotbeasecret.TheconditionsareverysensitiveastheAmericanshaveannouncedthetroops’withdrawal.TheannouncementofMullahOmar’sdeathcanincreaseissuessoweshouldkeepthissecretandselectanewleader.WhentheconditionsarefavourablethenwewillannounceMullahOmar’sdeathandgeneralallegiancewillalsotakeplace.MullahMansoorwaseventuallyconvincedbyMullahAbdulMananthatafewimportantmembersandafamousIslamicscholarfromthecentralprovincesshouldalsobeinvolvedinthisprocess.
MullahAkhtarMansoorintendedtoinformmanypeople,butafterbeingconvincedbyMullahMananandtheSheikhsitwasdecidedtoinformtheformerChiefJusticeMawlawiNoorMuhammadSaqib,whowasamemberof
theRahbariShura.ThemilitarycommissionheadMullahAbdulQayyumZakirandhisdeputyAmirKhanHaqqaniwereinvitedalongwithMullahOmar’shostwithwhomhelivedfortwelveyears.
Thesecondmeetingwassetinaweek’stime.Aweeklater,thepersonalsoarrivedwhohadhostedMullahOmar.Inthesecondmeetingtherewerefourmorepeople:MawlawiNoorMuhammadSaqib,MullahAmirKhanHaqqani,MullahAbdulQayyumZakir,andMullahOmar’shost.Thereweretenpeopleatthemeeting.MullahOmar’shostwasfirstaskedtorecounteverythingthathadtranspired.HerecountedthewholestoryandsaidMullahOmarhadneverrecommendedanyone.UntilhisdeathheinstructedthecurrentEmiratestructureandnevergaveahintfortheappointmentofanewpersonasAmir.
ThefourIslamicscholars–MawlawiAbdulHakeem,SheikhAbdulSalam,MawlawiHaibatullahandMawlawiNoorMuhammadSaqibasarepresentativeofallthosepresent,heldaseparatemeetinglater.Aftertwohoursofdiscussionandconsultationsinaseparateroom,theyinvitedalltheattendees.TheyfirstspokeabouttheEmirate’sShariastatus,andthensaid:afterconsultation,wehavedecidedtoselectMullahAkhtarMuhammadMansoorasanAmir,asduringMullahOmar’slifehewasselectedashisdeputyandwedonotseeanyoneelsewhocanuniteus.Ifweselectanyoneelsenow,thiswillcreateconcernsanddoubtsinpeopleandMullahOmar’sdeathwillnolongerbeasecret.
SheikhAbdulSalamthentookMullahMansoor’shandwiththeintentionofpledgingallegiance.TheotherthreeSheikhsalsopledgedallegiance,followedbyMullahAbdulQayyumZakir,AmirKhanHaqqani,MullahOmar’shost,andtheotherspresent.MullahMananrefusedtopledgeallegiance,andwhentheSheikhsaskedhimto,hesaid:“OurfamilystatusandthedeputyoftheEmirateshouldalsobeclear.”AbdulQayyumZakirgrewseriousandtoldMullahMananthatyouarejunior;don’tinterfereinthesemattersandpledgeallegiance.MullahAbdulMananthendidso;theSheikhstoldhimthatyouwillbegivenasuitableserviceandyourfamilywillnotbeleftbehindintheEmirate.
Accordingtohismessengers,duringhislifetimeMullahOmarwantedhisstepbrothertoonlylookafterhisfamily,andthatheshouldn’thaveanymajorpositionintheEmirate.UntilMullahOmar’sdeathhisbrotherMullahManan
positionintheEmirate.UntilMullahOmar’sdeathhisbrotherMullahMananhadnoofficialpositionintheTaliban.ButhewaslaterappointedbythenewleadershipasamemberoftheRahbariShuraandamemberofthemilitarycommissioninafewspecialaffairs.
MullahAkhtarMuhammadMansoorwasunanimouslyselectedasaleaderoftheTalibaninthismeeting.TheparticipantssworeanoaththatthedeathofMullahOmarwillbekeptsecretuntilasuitabletime.
AfewmonthsafterthismeetingtherewasaconflictbetweenMullahAbdulQayyumZakirandafewimportantmilitarycommandersofthesouth.Zakirwantedtodissolveandmergeafewmilitarygroups.HealsowantedtoevaluatethenumberofweaponswiththeTalibanonacountrylevelwhichwasaverydifficulttask.ThisprocesscreatedaconflictbetweenZakirandTalibancommanders.NewsofthisreachedMullahMansoor,andheopposedthisactofZakir’sashehadreceivedcomplaintsfrommanycommanders.HerecommendedtoMullahZakirtoavoidactivitieslikethissincetheycreateissues.ThisdecisionwasalsosupportedbyimportantShuramembers,andMullahZakirthreatenedtoresign.MullahAkhtarMansoortoldhimthatyoushouldn’tresignasthesituationissensitiveandwehavethesecretofMullahOmar’sdeath.OtherkeymembersoftheTalibanalsorequestedhimtonotresign,butduetoAbdulQayyumZakir’sinsistencehisresignationwasacceptedandhewasrequestedforsupportasamemberoftheShura.
Zakirremainedhomeforafewmonths,andthenhethreatenedthefourIslamicscholarsandthosewhowereawareofMullahOmar’sdeaththathehadconcernsaboutthemovementandcomplaintsagainsttheleadership,andifhisconcernswerenotresolvedhewouldexposethedeathofMullahOmar.InresponseAmirKhanHaqqanisaid:“thisisverychildishthatifsomeonedoesn’tacceptwhatyousaythenyouwillrevealasecret;iftheyacceptyouwillnotsayanything.”
EventuallyajirgawasheldthroughIslamicscholarsbetweenMullahAbdulQayyumandMullahAkhtarMuhammadMansoor.MullahQayyumpresentedhistendemandsandobjections,aswellasthedemandtomakehimtheheadofthemilitarycommission.MullahMansooracceptedhisdemandsbutdeniedthis.MullahMansoorsaidifyouacceptmeasaleader,thenyouhavetoworkonthepositionassignedbyme.Icannotassignapositiontoapersonwhoasksforit.
positionassignedbyme.Icannotassignapositiontoapersonwhoasksforit.
ThemediatingIslamicscholarstoldMullahZakirthatyouareguiltybecauseyourninedemandshavebeenaccepted,soforgetaboutthissingledemand.MullahZakirwasnotconvincedandwentaway.Untilmid-2014,hetalkedaboutMullahOmar’sdeathonlyincertaincircles,whichsometimesledtothenewsleakingoutside.Inearly2015,thisnewswasdiscussedinmanygatheringsanditalsoreachedMansoorDadullahandafewotherpeople.
Afewlocalintelligencesourcesandthemediaalsoraisedthisissueseveraltimes,buttheTalibanneverofficiallyacceptedthis,whicheventuallyledthemtobequiet.EventuallyMullahAbdulQayyumZakir–whileinthepresenceofhisfriendsandafewcommanders–beganaprayingceremonyforthedeceasedMullahOmarduringthemonthofShaban.ThisnewsquicklyspreadamongtheTalibanandMullahAkhtarMuhammadMansoorwascompelledtoannounceMullahOmar’sdeath.
FollowingthisconsultationofIslamicscholars,othertrustedTalibanmemberswhowerenotawareofMullahOmar’sdeathwerebroughtintothenews.TheywerefirsttoldthewholestoryofMullahOmar’sdeathandsecretallegiance,andtheywereconsultedforafutureplan.
TheysuggestedthathisdeathshouldbeannouncedafterRamadan,andanAmirshouldbeselected.AmeetingofthefollowingRahbariShuramemberswasheldafterEidul-Fitr:
MullahMuhammadHassanMawlawiAhmadullahNanaiMawlawiAbdulKabirMawlawiAbdulLatifMansoorMawlawiNoorMuhammadSaqibMullahAmirKhanHaqqaniHafizAbdulMajeedMullahGulAghaKhalifaSirajuddinMawlawiAmirKhanMuttaqiandfromtheIslamicscholarsgroup,MawlawiHaibatullahAkhundzada
andfromtheIslamicscholarsgroup,MawlawiHaibatullahAkhundzadaSheikhAbdulHakeemandMawlawiFaridMahmood.
MullahAbdulMananandAbdulQayumZakiralsojoinedthemeetingbuttheyleftatthetimeofallegiance.MullahAbdulRazzaq,MullahHassanRahmaniandMullahMuhammadRasooldeclinedtoparticipate.
Onthefirstday,MullahAkhtarMansoorsentamessagetotheparticipantsthroughMullahMuhammadHassan(thedeputyofMinisters’CouncilduringTalibanrule)thateveryoneshouldopenlyvoteandIgivemyvotingauthoritytothepresentShuramembers.Ialsogiveyoumyauthority;anyoneyouselectismyAmir.
Themeetingcontinuedfortwodays.MullahAbdulQayyumZakirsaidthatAkhtarMansoorshouldnotbethecandidate.Thememberstoldhimthatthisisnotpossiblejustbecauseofyourdemand.WewillpledgeallegiancetothepersonwhoisselectedbythemajorityofShuramembers.MullahAkhtarMansoorwasunanimouslyselectedasAmirafterdiscussions,butMullahZakirrefusedtopledgeallegiance.
MullahMananandMullahZakirleftthemeeting.MullahManansaidheneededmoretimeandcouldnotpledgerightthen.TheShurainvitedAkhtarMansoorandsaidthatthemajorityselectedyouasanAmir.MullahAkhtarMansoorsaid:Iftheparticipantsofthismeetingagreed,Iwillacceptyourofferbutallofyouhavetopromisethatyouwillnotleavemeonmyownandwillsupportmeineverywork.Theparticipantspromisedtosupporthimandlaterpledgedallegiance.
Thenextday,withtheconsultationofthebrotherandsonofMullahOmar,theTalibanofficiallyannouncedhisdeath.MullahMansooraddressedameetingofhundredsofgovernorsandcommandersandexplainedtheupcomingstrategyoftheTalibanmovement.TheattendeesalsopledgedallegiancetoMullahMansoor.Amongthosememberswhowereabsent,SheikhMawlawiAbdulRasheedalsoagreedtotheappointmentofthenewAmir.FromQatar,exceptforMuhammadTayyabAghaandMawlawiNekMuhammad,allthemembersincludingtheRahbariShuramembersannouncedtheirallegiancetothenewAmir.ThisincludedeighteenmembersoftheRahbariShura,alltheTaliban
Amir.ThisincludedeighteenmembersoftheRahbariShura,alltheTalibangovernors,headsofcommissionsandmilitarycommanderswhopledgedallegiance.TheaudioandvideomessagesofallTalibanofficialswerepublishedontheTalibanofficialwebpageforseveralweeks.
OnAugust12,theal-QaedaleaderAymanalZawahiriannouncedhisallegiancetoMullahMansoorthroughanonlinevoicemessage.AfterthatafewTalibanofficialswentasadelegationtoMullahZakir,whosaidthatheisneitheropposingnorpledgingallegiance,andstillneedssomemoretimeforthelatter.OntheotherhandMullahYaqoobsecretlymetwithMullahAkhtarMuhammadMansoorandgavehimhisassurances.
MullahOmarMujahid’sfamilyheldashortprayerceremony.InthisceremonyMullahYaqoobgaveashortstatement:MullahOmarhasnotrecommendedanyoneincludinganyofthefamilymembers.Hepassedawaybecauseoftuberculosis.”
HisstatementwasrecordedandpublishedonFacebookandontheTaliban’sofficialsite,makingthepropagandaofMananNiaziandMansoorDadullahmoreineffectiveamongtheTaliban.
AfewsupportersofMullahManansaidhewouldpledgeallegianceifhewasmadedeputyofthemovement.ButtheTalibanleadershipopposedeveryone’sconditionalallegiance.OnSeptember15,2015,duetothecontinuouseffortsofIslamicscholarsandmediatingTaliban,MullahAbdulMananandMawlawiMuhammadYaqubunconditionallypledgedallegiancetoMullahMansoorinameeting.
MullahRasool,MullahHassanRahmani,andMullahAbdulRazzaqneitherparticipatedintheallegiancemeetingnordidtheymakeapledgetothenewleadership.OnthedaythatthenewTalibanleaderwasannounced,MullahMuhammadHassanandMullahRasoolannouncedtheiroppositionagainstthenewleaderinthemediaatanofficialgatheringwithPakistaniofficialsinIslamabad.
MostoftheformerTalibanwhorebelledagainstMullahOmar,likeMansoorDadullah,AbdulRazzaq,andafewothers,showedtheirsympathyfortheformerleaderasatacticsoastoexposethenewleadershiptoissues.On
formerleaderasatacticsoastoexposethenewleadershiptoissues.OnNovember3,2015,MullahRasoolannouncedtheformationofaseparatemilitantgroupbutRahmaniandAbdulRazzaqdidnotsupporthim.AttheendofJanuary2016,HassanRahmanisharedhiswrittenandsignedallegiancetothenewleadershipthroughthemedia.Hewasveryillatthattime,andpassedawayaweeklateratahospitalinKarachi.
ALLEGIANCESTATEMENTOFMULLAHMUHAMMADHASSANRAHMANI
I,MuhammadHassanRahmani,amujahidofcourageousAfghanMuslimswishedforandstillwishforapureShariasysteminAfghanistan.ForfulfillingthiswishIhaveutilisedmystrengthsandabilities.Similarly,tofulfilthiswishIheartilypledgeallegiancetoAmirul-Mu’mineen(leaderofthefaithful)MullahAkhtarMuhammadMansoorandIwillremainobedienttothenewleaderinlinewithSharia.
Amonthearlier,theTalibanleaderreceivedavideoshowingthePakistaniTalibanleaderMullahFazlullahinameetingwithhundredofmilitantsannouncinghisallegiancetoMullahAkhtarMuhammadMansoorinPashtoandArabic.
MullahAbdulQayyumZakirpreferredapolicyofneitherpledgingnoropposing,butbecauseofthecontinuouseffortsofhisfriendshealsomadehispledgeonMarch30,2016withthefollowingstatement:
“InthenameofGod,theMostGracious,theMostMerciful”
GreetingstoallIslamicScholars,Mujahideen,seniorsandjuniorsofAfghanistanIslamicEmirate.
Respectedbrothers,youunderstandthattheIslamicMovementofTalibanwasinitiatedinAfghanistanundertheleadershipofrespectedAmirul-Mu’mineen(Leaderofthefaithful)MullahMuhammadOmarMujahidforestablishingapureIslamicsystem.WeandyouhavesacrificedthousandsoflivesforthissystemandwehadmanyachievementstoestablishIslamicEmirateinAfghanistan,againstthewishesoftheinfidelworld.AscrusadersoftheworldandinvaderswereintoleranttowardsthisholysystemsoanewteststartedforIslamicEmirate.Amirul-Mu’mineen(respectedleaderofthefaithful)withthehelpofGodfailedtheplansoftheinfidelworld.AfterthenewsofMullahOmar’sdeathspreadIhadafewreservationsinlinewithShariaforindependence,unity,bettermentofsystem,problemsolvingandsuccessoftheIslamicEmirate.PraisebetoAllah!DuetotheeffortsoffriendsweagreedtoaddressthesereservationsinlinewithSharia.MayAllahblessandrewardthem.
RespectedMullahAkhtarMuhammadMansoorisourleaderandIpledgeallegiancetohim.IwillremainobedienttothenewleaderinlinewithSharia.
Yourbrother
AlHajHafizMullahAbdulQayyumZakir
30March2016
TheMullahMuhammadRasoolgroupwasnotsostrong,butinthenameofaseparateTalibangrouptoweakenthemovement,internalandexternalsourcesextendedtheirsupporttothisgroup.Itwasnotabletosustainitselfforlong.MullahRasooldisappearedinstead,anditissaidthathehasbeenarrestedbyPakistan.MansoorDadullahhasalreadysplitwiththeTaliban.TheirmediapersonwasAbdulMananNiazi,whosephotosofmeetingswithAfghansecurityforcesandtheKandaharpolicechiefwereswiftlyrevealed.
InJuly2016,MullahDadullah’sson-in-lawMullahMuhammadSadiqwas
InJuly2016,MullahDadullah’sson-in-lawMullahMuhammadSadiqwasbeatenupbyMananNiaziandhisfriends.HewenttotheTalibanleadershipandrevealedthesecretsofMananNiaziandhisfriends.Hesaid:“MananNiazitoldmethatthefamilyofDadullahshouldlivewherevertheylikesothatweattractmilitantsbecauseoftheirtrustonthisfamily.ButIsaidtohimwhydoyounotbringyourfamilieshere.DuringthediscussionsonthistopicIleftthegatheringandIwasonmywaywhenMananNiaziandhismencameandbadlybeatmeup.IescapedfromthereandalsorescuedDadullah’sfamilymembersfromthere.”
MullahSadiqaddedthatwehadaconflictwithMananNaziandtheDefenceMinistrycalledusandadvisedustofollowhisorders.
MULLAHAKHTARMUHAMMADMANSOORASAMILITARY,POLITICALANDADMINISTRATIVELEADER
MullahAkhtarMuhammadMansoorwasthesonofHajiMuhammadJan.Hewasbornin1968intheBandiTaimoorvillageofKandahar’sMaiwanddistrict.HetookpartinthejihadagainstUSSRandwhenhetheTalibanmovementbegan,hehadayearlefttocompletehisreligiouseducation.WhentheTalibancapturedKandaharforthefirsttime,MullahMansoorwasappointedin-chargeofKandaharairport.AftertheconquestofKabul,hewasappointedasMinsterforAviationandtheheadoftheAirForce.AstheTalibangovernmentcollapsed,hefoughtuntiltheendatKandaharairportandlaterevacuatedonMullahOmar’sinstructions.
AftertheendoftheTalibanregimeandtheensuingresistancemovementagainstinvaders,hewasinitiallyamemberoftheShuraandmilitaryin-chargeforKandahar.HealsoworkedasanadvisortoMullahBaradarandMullahObaidullah.AfterMullahObaidullah’simprisonmentin2007,hewasappointedasMullahBaradar’sdeputybyadecreeissuedbyMullahOmar.AfterMullahOmar’sdeath,hewasthesecondTalibanleaderwhowasswornallegianceasAmirul-Mu’mineenbytheAfghanTaliban,thePakistaniTaliban,andtheal-Qaedaleadership.
FromtheoutsetMullahAkhtarMuhammadMansoorwasinvolvedinconsistentplanning,foreignrelations,andcoordinationofthemovement.Whenhewasthemilitaryin-chargeofKandahar,hesuccessfullycarriedoutseveralattacks
againstUSforces.HeconducteduniqueoperationsinKandaharcity.ThereweretwosuccessfuljailbreaksatKandaharprisonandmanyTalibanescaped.
Thankstohissupport,thecitizensofTurkey,RussiaandafewothercountrieswhohadbeenarrestedbytheTalibanforsupportingthegovernmentinmilitaryandnon-militaryaffairs,werehandedovertotheircountries.Thispavedawayfornewopportunitiestoestablishrelationswiththesecountries.
AftertheimprisonmentofMullahBaradarin2010,MullahMuhammadOmarappointedMullahAkhtarMuhammadMansoorashisdeputyandtheoverallin-charge.HebroughtaboutchangesintheTaliban’smilitary,politicalandadministrativesystemsandpavedthewayfornegotiations.Inmilitaryaffairs,hecalledontheTalibantosupportdevelopmentandpublicinterestprojects.HeprovidedstrictrulesaboutciviliancasualtiesformilitaryTaliban.Hedevelopedruleslikethegovernmentforpublicinterestprojectswithintheframeworkoftheeconomiccommission;likeinternationalorganisationsandNGOswillalsofulfillegalprocedureswiththeTalibanandthencontinuework.
AletterfromMullahAkhtarMuhammadMansoorto
themilitarycommissionandpeopleresponsible
fortheprovincestosupportandpermitpublic
interestprojectsincludingwater,electricity,
agricultureandothers,andnotcreate
hindrances.
Heestablishedanintelligencecommissiontomonitorthewarandenemy,andadepartmenttoprotectandmonitorciviliancasualties.HealsoestablishedanNGOscommissiontodealwithinternationalNGOs.
MullahMansoorestablishedaverypositivefoundationbecauseofhislong-termexperiencewiththeTaliban,andimprovedthenegativeaspectsthathadbecomethenormintheTalibanmovement.Forexample,givingimportantpositionstopeopleinspecialareas,givingauthoritytooneclass,orirrelevantsuspicionaboutsubordinatesandlookingattheirworkwithsuspicion.
ItcameasasurprisetomanywhenMullahMansoorappointedKhalifa
ItcameasasurprisetomanywhenMullahMansoorappointedKhalifaSirajuddinHaqqaniashisdeputy.Accordingtothein-chargeofMullahMansoor’sofficeMawlawiMuhibullahGarmsiri,MullahMansoorhadsaid:theHaqqanifamilyisveryinfluentialinhisarea.Ontheotherhand,therewereregionalandinternationaleffortstoseparatehimfromtheTalibanwiththenameoftheHaqqaniNetworkbutKhalifastoodfirmIkeamountainandkepthimselfattachedtotheEmirate.Therefore,hedeservesthisposition.
LettersignedbyAkhtarMuhammadMansoorto
establishtheleadershipoffice.
Similarly,heignoredthedifferenceintheTalibanmovementbetweenreligiousmullahsandmoderneducatedpeoplewhenheselectedSherAbbasStanekzaiastheheadofthepoliticalcommitteeagainsttheShura’srecommendation.MawlawiMuhibullahGarmsirisays:MullahMansoortoldmethataftertheresignationofTayyabAghafromtheleadershipofthepoliticalcommittee,theShurarejectedmyrecommendationtoappointSherAbbasStankezaiasthehead.Hesaid:weshouldnotbedependentonStanekzai’sprofessionandrelevant
Hesaid:weshouldnotbedependentonStanekzai’sprofessionandrelevantdiplomacyeducation;hedeservestoleadthiscommittee.
MullahAkhtarMansoorwastheonlyTalibanleaderduringtheperiodofresistancewhoestablishedanofficeforadministrativeworkcalled‘LeadershipOffice’.Theofficeorganisedtheleadership’sdecrees,instructionsandofficialdocuments.
VISITOFTALIBANREPRESENTATIVESTOQATARANDTHEINAUGURATIONOFTHETALIBANOFFICE
In2005,MawlawiShahabuddinDilawarandamid-levelTalibanofficialmetamysteriousBritishmanMichaelSempleinPeshawar’sTehkalarea.ThemeetingwasheldinavehiclebelongingtoaformerjihadcommanderfromKunarcalledCommanderDeedar.SempleisaBritishmanmarriedtothedaughterofaretiredPakistanimilitaryofficer.Hiswifeisadancer,andhisintelligencenetworkisspreadthroughoutPakistan.
Afterthismeeting,itwasheardfrequentlyfromMawlawiDilawaratgatheringsthattheTalibanleadershipshouldallowtheTalibantoliveinathirdcountryasimpartialTaliban;butthepurposewasunclear.
MawlawiShahabuddinsupportedthepeaceprocesswiththeKarzairegime.ButwhenthesymbolicpeacecommissionwasestablishedunderSibghatullahMujaddidi,andthesonofMujaddidivisitedPakistanandheldmeetingswithafewformerTaliban,andtoldthemthatAmericadoesnotwantpeacebutiftheTalibanwanttosurrendertheyshoulddosothroughourcommission,thesestatementshadaclearmessage.MichaelSemplestartedmeetingsonceagain.
AfghanEngineerWahidullahHalimi,aGermannational,thenvisitedPakistan.HalimihasclosetieswithGermanintelligence.HealsoremainedclosetotheQatariroyalfamilyforyears,andhasanengineeringcompanyinQatar.HalimiestablishedalinkbetweenTayyabAghaandGermanintelligenceforthefirsttime.WithHalimi’ssupport,TayyabAghasecretlyvisitedGermanyandincreasedhisrelationswiththeGermangovernment.MullahAbdulSalamZaeefestablishedtiesbetweentheCIAandTayyabAgha.TheythenagreedtoopenaTalibanofficebutdidnotdecideonalocation.
In2011,MullahDilawaraskedmyfriendforinformationaboutillegal
In2011,MullahDilawaraskedmyfriendforinformationaboutillegalimmigrationtoGermany,anditappearedthatinitiallytheywantedtoliveinGermany.Lateron,becauseofanagreementbetweentheCIA,Germany,andQatar,itwasdecidedtoopentheTalibanofficeinQatar.MullahOmarandmembersoftheShurawereunawareofthisentireprocess.
In2010,TayyabAghasentamessagetoMullahOmarandrequestedtotakeafewTalibanfriendstoQatarandexchangeGuantánamoprisonerswiththesupportoftheGermans.MullahOmarwasveryseriousandcarefulaboutprisoners.Hetoldthemessenger:IfthereisapossibilityofanexchangeofalltheTalibanprisonersheldinCuba,Iallowyoutodothiswork.
Exceptingforthis,MullahOmarneversaidanythingabouttheQatarofficeorpeacenegotiations,andtheyalsoneverrequestedhispermissionforpeacetalks.
AftermybookwaspublishedinPashtoIspoketoTayyabAghaindetailaboutthis,andhetermeditincorrectthatMullahOmarwasnottoldabouttheoffice.Hesaid:“WekeptMullahOmarupdatedregardingalloftheprocess.”ButwhenIaskedhimaboutevidenceanddocuments,hefailedtoprovideauthenticinformation,andsohisclaimcannotbeconsideredgenuine.HeagreedtoeverythingImentionedabouthiminthisbookexcepttheQataroffice,likebringinginpeopleofhischoice,notacceptingtheShuravote,disregardingtheinstructionsandadviceofMullahAkhtarMansoor,andallthepartsIhavementionedabouttheQataroffice.
Attheendof2010,thepoliticalcommissionheadTayyabAghaselectedafewTalibanfriendsofhischoiceandtookthemtoQatarwithoutthembeingchosenbyMullahAkhtarMuhammadandtheShura.TayyabAgha’sreasoningwasthathehadstraightforwardpermissionfromMullahOmar.Ontheotherhand,MullahAbdulSalamZaeefalsoselectedafewpeopleofhischoosingfortheQataroffice.
Inearly2013,MullahOmarwasseverelyill,andmosttaskswerecarriedoutbyMullahAkhtarMansoorwhosupportedTayyabAghawithoutanyinterference.TayyabAghaalsoneveracceptedanyinterferenceinhiswork.HewassurethathismessageswouldstillreachMullahOmardirectlyasthemessengerneverinformedhimofhisillness.
MullahOmarpassedawayonApril24,andtheQatarofficewasinauguratedalmosttwomonthslater.TheShuraagreedontheopeningoftheQataroffice,butthepressureandinterferenceofAfghanofficialsledtoitsclosure.MullahOmar’smessengerandpeopleclosetohimtookadvantageofMullahMansoor’scalmnature,asTayyabAghawasalsonotawareofMullahOmar’sdeath.Themessengerandpeopleclosetohimsenttheirclosefriends,relatives,andbusinesspartnersasdelegationmembers.TayyabAghatoldotherofficialsthattheyareherebecauseofMullahOmar’spermission.
TayyabAghahadresignedfromtheShuraandconsideredhimselfindirectcontactwithMullahOmar,soheappointedpeopleofhischoiceintheQataroffice.IfMullahMansoorortheShuraintroducedanyotherperson,hindranceswerecreatedforhim.Mansoorsentinstructionsonmajorpoliticalissuesanddidnotinterfereinfinancialissuesoradministrativeandgeneraldiplomaticactivities.Hencenon-essentialpeopleselectedbychoiceoccupiedthisoffice.
TheotherissuewasthelackofdominationoftheleadershipandtheShuraoverthisoffice.TheyhadnottakentheTalibanleadershipintocompleteconfidence,andsohadnoauthorityaboutmilitaryissues.Secondly,theirmistrustofthecommonTalibanwasamajorissue.Theywereblamedindifferentways.ForexampleitiscommonlysaidthatJanAghaAhmadzaihasadozenheavyvehiclesandheprovideslogisticssupporttoNATObasesfromPakistantoAfghanistanformoney,whileNATOlogisticsvehicleswereburnedbytheTalibanandeventhedriverswereseverelypunished.
ItwaswellknownaboutShahabuddinthatintheParismeetinghebecamefriendswithMasoomStanekzai,whichiswhyhistwosonsreceivedgovernmenteducationalscholarships.Ontheotherhand,hehadfriendlytieswithAfghanandPakistaniintelligenceofficials.AfterMullahAkhtarMuhammadMansoorbecametheleader,afinancialaffairsinvestigationcommissionwasestablishedundertheleadershipofMawlawiAbdulKabir.MullahMuhammadYounaswassenttoQatarforafinancialauditandhereturneddissatisfiedabouttransparencyinfinancialmatters.TheofficememberstalkedabouthisbusinessesandpropertiesinDubai.
ThesecretsympathiesbetweenQatarandKabul-basedTalibanhadworriedtheTalibanleadership,becauseononehandthepeaceprocesswaslaunchedby
Talibanleadership,becauseononehandthepeaceprocesswaslaunchedbyAfghanrulerswiththebackingofforeignintelligenceagencies.Ontheotherhand,MasoomStanekzaiwasappointedastheheadofAfghanintelligencefromwithintheleadershipranksofthepeacecouncil.TheTalibanleadershipgrewmoresuspicious.AformerTalibanofficialtoldaformerTalibanintelligenceofficialinKabulthatIhaveheardStanekzaisaying:SendhimtoQatarsothatwecansendtheallottedcashwithhimaswell.
MullahAkhtarMuhammadMansoorwasangrywithTayyabAghaandAbdulSalamZaeefbecauseasrepresentativesoftheTalibanmovementtheyreceivedmoneyfromafewcountriesandinvestedintheirprojectsinKabul.
Theotherissuewasthedisputesbetweenmembersoftheoffice.AfewaccusedTayyabAghaofhidinghissecretrelationswithAmericanintelligencefromthem.Theysaid:TayyabAghaheldmeetingswithUSrepresentativesinaclosedroomalonewithoutuspresent.
TayyabAghaknewofMullahOmar’sdeathsixmonthspriortotheannouncementmadebytheTaliban.Hewasscaredofaccountability,becausefortwoyearshehadbeeninvolvedinseveralactivitiesinMullahOmar’sname.Hewasalsofearedthemistrustofinternationalplayers.Hewasreadytoannouncehisseparationandwasrelyingonthosepeoplewhopromisedtosupporthiminthefuture.
Since2014,MullahAkhtarMansoorhadbeendisappointedwiththeQatarrepresentativesinhowtheywereestablishingbasicandsecretrelationswiththeworld.HeopenlysaidthattheycannothidetheirtiestotheCIA,norcantheyplayafundamentalandlong-lastingroleintheserelations.MullahAkhtarMansoormeantrelationswithanti-UScountries.Heinitiatedeffortsfortheserelationstoestablishapermanentsecretchannel,andsucceededtoanextent.ButafterhismartyrdomthesechannelswereneutralisedbyrepresentativesoftheQataroffice.
AfterMullahMansoor’sdeath,theQatarofficeprocessgrewmoreweak.ThepeopleincontactwithTayyabAghaleakedinformationofQatarrepresentativesandevenprovidedthistoafewmediaoutlets.TayyabAghawasintouchwiththemainmembersoftheQataroffice.
themainmembersoftheQataroffice.
Theofficememberswerealsonotcapabletoexpandtheiractivitiesfurther,andastimepassedtheywerelosingthetrustoftheleadership.Theirrepresentationisnowonlysymbolicandnearcollapse.TheTalibanleadershipdoesnottrustthemorholdthemaccountable.Theserepresentativesareonlylimitedtoafewmeetingsandafewdistractingannouncements,andthisofficeappearsineffectiveandclosetocollapse.Ifthereareanychangesinthisofficeitwillbeevidentinthefuture.
TheQatarofficewasfacingmanytroubleswhenmybookwasoriginallypublished(inPashto)in2017astheleadershipandthemilitarycommandersdidn’ttrustmembersoftheoffice.SeveralmembersjoinedSayyedTayyebAghaafterheresignedasheadoftheoffice.Othermemberswerealsoconfused.TheleadershipwasupbeatwhentheformerGuantánamoinmatesjoinedtheofficeaftertheyreceivedpassportsandwereinvolvedinadministrativeworkfortheoffice.ThiscreatedtrustamongtheTalibanintheQatarofficeasthoseprisonershadservedinkeypositionsduringtheperiodofTalibanruleduringthe1990s.Twoofthemhadbeenmilitarycommandersandenjoyedthesupportofthousandsoffighters.MullahKhairullahKhairkhwahadservedastheInteriorMinisterandGovernorofHerat.HewasalsoheadofthegeographicalzonemadeupofHerat,NimrozandBadghis.
MullahMuhammadFazalwasaknownmilitarycommanderandarmychief.MullahNoorullahNoorihadbeenGovernorofBalkhandheadofazonemadeupofseveralnorthernprovinces.AbdulHaqWaseeqhadbeendeputyintelligenceminister.
ThefreedGuantánamoprisonershadtwodistinctions.TheywereknownamongtheTalibanandenjoyedsympathies,andtheyhadsufferedalotatthehandsofAmericans.TheyhadrenderedsacrificesofimprisonmentinAmericandetention,whichenhancedtheirrespectamongtheTalibanfighters.TheywerenotdoubtedlikeMaulviShahabuddinDilawarandseveralothermembersforhavingsecretcontactsandsympathyforthegovernmentinKabul.TheofficewasfurtherstrengthenedwhenMullahBaradarwasappointedasheadoftheofficeandearlierfiveGuantánamoinmateswereinductedintheoffice.
MullahBaradarwasreleasedinOctober2017fromPakistanijailonrequestof
MullahBaradarwasreleasedinOctober2017fromPakistanijailonrequestoftheUSenvoyZalmayKhalilzad.OneofthereasonsforhisreleasewasthathewouldhelptheUSinthepeaceprocess.ThepersonalityofBaradarandhisjoiningthepeaceprocesswasaneffectivestepthatpushedthesymbolicprocess.ThisgavecredibilitytothepeaceprocessandtheofficegainedmorepowersasMullahBaradarhadservedasdeputytoMullahMuhammadOmar,whohadawidespreadinfluenceamongtheTaliban.TalibsstartedgivingimportancetothepoliticalofficeafterMullahBaradarwenttoQatar.TheQatarofficeturnedintoacentreoftrustwhenseveralmembersoftheleadershipcouncilbecameinvolvedinthepoliticaloffice.ButeventhenitwasadifficulttasktosatisfythepoliticalandreligiouspersonalitiesoftheTalibanonallthepoliciesoftheoffice.
TheleadershiphasrejectedseveraldecisionsoftheQatarofficeandtheofficeisnowtakingcareofthesensitivityofthereligiousandmilitaryTalibanleaders.SeveralmembersoftheQatarofficefavouredanextensionoftheceasefirewiththeUSbutthemilitaryleadersandmoregenerallytheleadershipdidn’tacceptthisproposal.ItisbelievedthattheQatarofficeandtheleadershipmaywaitforasuitabletimeandnewtacticsifthetemporaryceasefireisconvertedintoapermanentceasefire.
AweakceasefirebeforetheagreementwiththeUSwasbasedonthistacticsothemilitarycommanderswereassuredthatprisonerswouldbereleasedimmediatelyaftertheagreement.Theseprisonersarefightersofthemilitaryleaderswhoalsoanxiouslyawaittheirrelease.TherewouldbeapossibilityofapermanentceasefireiftheUSweretohonouritscommitmentsandintra-Afghandialogue.
SERIOUSOBSTACLESTOACTUALPEACENEGOTIATIONS
Sincethemovementsinthenameofpeacebegan,themainproblemseemstobewiththeambiguousdefinitionofpeaceandpositiveunderstanding.ThewordspeaceandnegotiationareverystrategicallyusedbytheUS,itsAfghanfriendsandofficials,whiletheTalibanfollowapurelyreligiousstrategy.Theyfirstlookateverypeaceagreementaspermissibleornot,andthenmovetowardsnegotiationswiththeopposition.
Inthiscontext,alongwithfaithandideology,thepresenceoftheinvadersisa
Inthiscontext,alongwithfaithandideology,thepresenceoftheinvadersisafundamentalevidenceoftheresistance.Soeverypeaceprocesswhichdoesnothaveanendtotheinvasion,orthewithdrawaloftheinvadersontheagenda,seemsimpossibletoachieveanyresult.
ByTalib,IdonotmeanaTalibwhoispracticallyparticipatingintheresistanceagainstAmericaliketheTalibanleadership,themajorityoftheRahbariShura,themilitarycommission,militarycommanders,andtheirreligiousscholars.
Thewordpeaceinthecurrentprocessisjustusedasatactic.ItisevidentthatthecurrentpeaceslogansinKabulandQatararejustawasteoftimeandasourceoffinances.Themoneyspentforthisisjustwasted,anditspositiveoutcomesareneitherevident,norcanitpavethewayforarationalprocess.
Thepeoplebusyinthisprocessonlyrepeatthesesloganstokeepthemengagedandtohaveajob.Theyarenotawareabouttherootsofactualpeace.Theyarenotdevotedandalsodonothaveanyrationalandpracticalplan.
ThedisgruntledformerTalibaninKabularepassingtheirtimewiththesetwodisguisedslogans.Oneisasloganforpeace,andtheotherisasloganagainstPakistan.ThesearejustwordsthattheyusetogetaroleinthegovernmentandtoliveinKabul.Theyarenolongerloyaltotheirmovement,andtheyrenotcommittedtotheseslogans.Theyconsiderthisaneedfortheirpersonalinterest.
ThepeacecommissionsandcouncilsofKabularetodatejustinvolvedinintelligenceandpropagandaactivitiesagainsttheiropponents,whoaremilitaryandpoliticalpowers.SincethiscommissionwasestablishedunderMujaddidi’sleadership,thispeacesloganwasjusttochangethemindsetofthepublicandtheworld.TheypracticallymotivatedtheTalibantosurrender,andaspropagandatheyannouncedthemade-upsurrenderofmilitants.
AnexampleofthiswasthatadeputyofthisShurawasaskedbyhisrelativestofindajobfortheminthegovernment.Hesaid:ifyoupurchaseafewoldguns,wewillmakevideosofyouanddeclareyousurrenderedTaliban.Wewillgiveyoumoneyandourpropagandistcampaignwillbedone.
Thisshowsthathehasarrangedhundredsofotherfakeannouncementsandactivities,whichmakestherealpeaceprocessandplanappearambiguous.
activities,whichmakestherealpeaceprocessandplanappearambiguous.
Thereisnodoubtthattheongoingresistancedoesnothaveasmanyresourcesandequipmentasthemujahideendidinthepreviousjihaderas.Itisrifewithissuesandhardships.TheTalibanarenotdependentonresourcesandequipment,buttheyhaveanideologyandbelief,andsocannotimaginethataTalibwhobeganthisactivitybasedonjihadandideologywouldsurrenderformoneyormaterialobjects.
IfanagreementwiththeTalibanisbasedonthefundamentalissues,thenthereisapossibilityoftruepeace.Thisincludesatypeofsystem,order,foreignauthority,verbaloccupationorgradualreductionofforcestozero.
Thefirststagebeforetheimplementationofpeaceisabsolutemutualunderstandingandtocometogether,whichisessentialforbothpartiesevenwithoutpeace.Taketheexampleoftheexchangeofprisoners,whichisnotpossiblewithoutmutualunderstanding.TheTalibanagreedwiththeUSforanofficeinQatar.Eventhoughthisofficewasnotfullyactive,butTalibanrepresentativesataknownlocationwereabletoexchangetheirimportantprisonerswiththeAmericans,andthisprocessisstillongoing.
ClearingupmisunderstandingsisthedutyoftheQataroffice.ThisofficewasnotopenedbyTalibanofficialswiththeintentionsofimplementingpeace.Creatingabsolutemutualunderstandingisthedutyofthisoffice.Forthisoffice,peacetalksareoptionalandnotfundamental.
MullahAkhtarMuhammadMansoorwasinrealityreadyfortruepeacewhichispossiblepeace.ThepeacestilldefinedbyAmericansandtheirKabul-basedsupportersisnotpossibleandnoTalibleaderwillagreetoituntildeath.
THEBORDERAREAOFAFGHANISTANANDDAESH
ThecreationandexpansionofDaeshisnotmyarea.IdonotwanttogointodetailaboutDaeshinIraqandSyria.However,IwouldliketosaythatinitiallywhenthisgroupappearedinIraq,weheardthestoriesoftheoppressionofIraqiSunnishereaswell.TheTalibanwerealsohappyabouttheiruprisingandconsidereditapositivereactionagainstWesternpoliciesintheregion.
Lateron,theirpresenceinIraqandSyriawasahugeblowtothefundamental
Lateron,theirpresenceinIraqandSyriawasahugeblowtothefundamentalexistenceofal-Qaedaintheirregion.Theircruelbehaviourtowardsal-Qaedaandthepublicwasalsoexposed.Itdisheartenedmanyhere.AftertheannouncementoftheCaliphatetheyforciblywantedtheworldtoaccepttheirCaliphate.Initiallythiswasconsideredmadnessandlateritwastermedaconspiracy.
TheyonlycontrolledafewIraqicities.ThecapitalBaghdadwasalsonotintheircontrol,buttheyconsideredobediencetoDaeshobligatoryforMuslimslivingthousandsofmilesaway.InrealityDaeshhasnopresenceinAfghanistan,butgovernmentcirclesandtheWesternmediapropagateditmorethroughthemedia.
TheTalibanconsideredtheannouncementsofthisgroupontheeasternbordertobeimportant,andbecauseofthefearthattheenemywouldmakeitintoabigissue,theTalibanremainedquiet.ButgraduallytheTalibanfelttheneedtonegotiatewiththeDaeshleadershipinIraqandmakethemunderstandthesensitivityofthecurrentsituation.MullahAkhtarMuhammadMansoorsentaletterfullofrespectandsympathytoBaghdadi,thefounderofDaesh.InthisletterhementionedthecurrentsituationofAfghanistan,thejointsacrificesofArabandAfghanmujahideen,andtheenemy’sconspiracies.
Baghdadiwasrequestedthatthethirteenyearsofresistanceagainstinvaderswascarriedoutinveryhardconditions,andtheenemyiswaitingforinternaldivisions.TheIslamicEmirateispresentheresoyoushouldn’tannounceapermanentorganisation.ButAdnani,thespokespersonofBaghdadi,respondedbadlyandusedveryoffensivelanguageagainstMullahMuhammadOmar.Afterthis,theTalibanleadership–onthesuggestionofIslamicscholars–declaredthistobetrickeryandaconspiracytosabotagetheTaliban’sthirteenyearsofresistance.ThisiswhytheTalibanbeganmilitaryactivitiesagainstDaesh.
AtthattimeinPakistan’sborderareas,thePakistaniTalibanweresplitintofactionsandengagedinbloodyconflicts.ThosepeopleandgroupswhowereunabletogetaprominentpositioninthePakistaniTalibanandwerealsofinanciallyweekannouncedtheirsupportforDaeshandgarneredmediaattention.TheBajaur-basedMawlawiMuslimDostofNangarhar’sKotdistrictalsoannouncedhissupportforDaeshandpavedawayforthegroupin
alsoannouncedhissupportforDaeshandpavedawayforthegroupinNangarhar.DaeshalsoannouncedtheirallegianceonlineandappointedHafizSaeedKhanOrakzaiasanAmirfortheKhorasanarea.
SaeedKhanwasaninfamouspersonbecauseofkidnappingandothermafia-likeactivities.HefollowedthePanjpirjurisprudenceofHanafiswhoarerigidinreligiousmatters.HisotherfriendShahidullahShahid,theformerspokespersonofthePakistaniTaliban,followstheAhleHadithschoolofthought.Itwasnotcompulsoryfortheirmemberstofollowaspecificjurisprudence.
Ontheotherside,afewpeopleintheTalibanmilitarylineswhowerefacingpunishment,orscaredofreprimandbecauseoftheirirresponsibleactivities,foundanewnameandjoinedDaesh.Thisincludedafewpeoplefromtheeasternregion,Logar,Zabul,andfromthenorth,buttheylaterbecameweakandmostofthemleftthegroup.
ThefirstmeetingofSaeedKhanOrakzaiandhisAfghansupporterswasheldintheSpinGharareaofNangarhar.TheirfirstbasewasinSpinGhar’sMamandarraarea.Thefirstwarwiththemstartedinthisarea,whenthedeadlinefortheTalibantoleavethisareaexpired.TheywerelateractiveintheDehBala,Achin,Kot,andCharpaharareas.MawlawiMuslimDostofKot,MawlawiAziz,DrSabaGul,MawlawiIsmail,andMawlawiIslamuddinofCharpaharweretheirfirstAfghanfriends.Ontheothersideoftheborder,SaeedKhan,ShahidullahShahid,andAbuBakarofBajaurAgencyweremembersofthegroup.TheylaterhadactivitiesinotherdistrictsofNangarharandthegovernmentdidnotbotherthem.ThenapermanentTalibanforcecame,andtheywerepushedbacktoasmallareawiththesupportoflocals.
InitiallytheTalibanleadershipinstructedthatiftheyrepentafterarrest,releasethem,andduringthebattletheTalibanshouldmostlyfireintheairsothattheyleavethearea.Butlater,owingtotheircruelties,theTalibanattitudetowardsthembecamerigid.WhentheTalibanevictedthemfromanarea,theAfghangovernmentbombedtheTaliban.ThenatimecamewhentheTalibanattackedDaesh,andUShelicoptersbombardedbothgroupsandthebattlestopped.TheTalibanwerefacingaverycomplexsituation.TherewereUSplanesinthesky,thelandwasunderthecontroloftheAfghanintelligenceandmilitary,andDaeshwasinthevillagesandmountains.Tofaceallofthematoncewasanew
test.ManyDaeshcommandersdidnotsurrenderafterdefeateventhoughTalibanannouncedforgivenessforthosewhosurrender.TheyjoinedtheArbakisinsteadorgavethemselvesuptogovernmentintelligence.MostoftheirinjuredweretreatedattheNangarharPublicHealthfacility,includingtheimportantcommanderOmarAbdulKhaliq.
AtthattimeawaywardTalibancommanderSaadEmaratialsoannouncedhissupportforDaesh.InZabul,afewUzbeksunderMansoorDadullah’sleadershipalsoannouncedtheirsupportforDaeshandwaragainsttheTaliban.ButwhentheytookawayHazarawomenfromvehiclesontheKabul-KandaharhighwayandtoZabul’sArghandabarea,itcreatedaterribleethnicdisaster.PashtunsontheborderareawiththeHazaraswerealsofacingissues.TheTalibanwerecompelledtostopthisunculturedandillegalactandafterabattlewithDaesh,afewwomenwerereleasedwhiletheykilledafewofthem.ThiswarwentontoasecondstageaswellwhichsawMansoorDadullahbeingkilled.AfewofhisUzbeksupporterssurrenderedandwereimprisonedwhileotherswerekilled.
TheTalibandoesn’tlookatthepeoplewholeftDaeshastheenemyanymorebecauseofinternalconflicts,eventhoughtheyinflictedheavylossesontheTaliban.MawlawiMuslimDostalsosplitwithDaesh.HewasthefirstpreacherandMuftiofDaeshinAfghanistanbutafterDaeshkilledhisnephewsheannouncedhisseparationfromthegroup.HealsoaccusedDaeshofplanningtokillhim.Thekeypointsofhisannouncementwereasfollows:
AroundtwoyearsagoIannouncedmyseparationfromDaeshbecausetheyimprisonedafewpeoplefromtheKotandShinwaroareasofNangarhar.Itriedtoreleasetheseprisonersbuttheydidnotacceptandthreatenedtokillme.Daeshwantedtobrutallykilltheseprisoners.Afterthattheykilledmynephews;onewasTariq,whowaskilledintheKhalisFamilyareaofJalalabad,andtheotherwasIsmailwhoalsowenttoSyria.TheDaeshisofSyriaandIraqkilledhimbecausehewenttoSyriawithoutSaeedKhan’spermission.
TheTalibaninitiallystartedtostruggleverycarefullyagainstDaeshbutwenowobserveafewbothersomeactivitiesinthestrategyagainstDaesh,likethevagueintroductionanddefinitionsofDaesh.TheTalibanmovementisareligiousmovement,andlikeaparticularreligiousschooltheycannotimposetheirspecificdefinitionofsecondaryissuesonpeople.InthewaragainstDaesh,a
specificdefinitionofsecondaryissuesonpeople.InthewaragainstDaesh,afewyoungpeople,andpeoplewithlessreligiousknowledge,alsotermthosepeopleasDaeshwhoopposeinnovationsinreligiousaffairsorwhosebeliefinvolvescarefullydefiningandteachingmonotheismlegitimately.Opposingtheseactivitiesaccordingtoreligionisalsonotacceptable.TheseissuespracticallydamagetheTaliban’smilitarywork.TheTalibanleadership’sprincipledpolicyisalsoagainstactivitiesofthiskind.
Ontheotherhand,theUSwashappyforDaeshinIraq,ifonlytodisturbthefirmandcomplexbasisofal-Qaeda.Similarly,America,theAfghangovernment,andafewothercountrieswerehappythatDaeshwillinternallydamagethestrongthirteen-yearresistanceoftheunitedTalibaninAfghanistan.Thisnewprojectwasconsequentlypropagatedatahighlevel.TheinsultingworldsusedbyIraqiDaeshagainstMullahOmarwerespreadwidelybysupportersoftheAfghangovernment.
Themysterious,still-ongoingsupporttoDaeshbyafewHekmatyarsupporterswasalsoobserved.HajiHayat,aformerHizbcommanderfromLogar’sAzradistrict,recruitedyouthforDaeshinHekmatyar’sShamshatoocampinPeshawarandsentthemtoAfghanistantofightagainsttheTaliban.
TherewasalsonewsthataHizbdelegationincludingformerHizbcommanderHajiHayat,SharafatandtheformerHizbintelligenceheadHajiMalikQararmetMasoomStanekzai,theheadoftheNationalDirectorateofSecurityStanekzai,whosaidtoHajiMalikthatwhydon’tyourestartyourpreviousactivities.HewasimplyingthemurderofpeopleinPeshawar.
ThiswasfollowedbyadozenTalibansupporters’killingsinafewpartsofPeshawar’sShamshatoocampandotherpartsinthecityduringthedayhours.ButitisnotclearwhetherHizbcommanderswereactingonHekmatyar’sdirectinstructionsortheywereorderedtodosobysomeoneelse.However,duringtheinitialwarbetweenDaeshandTaliban,Hizb’sShahadatnewspaperpublishedanarticlestating:IfthiswasawarbetweenthegovernmentandtheTaliban,wewouldhavesupportedtheTalibanbutifthewarisbetweentheTalibanandDaesh,wesupportDaesh.
Aftertherequestsoflocalsandtheprotestsoflocalgovernmentofficials,and
Aftertherequestsoflocalsandtheprotestsoflocalgovernmentofficials,andalsotosatisfycountriesintheregion,theAmericansandAfghangovernmentannouncedoperationsagainstthemaswell,andafewbattlestookplace.OnedelicateandmysteriousprocesswhichisstillevidentisthesupporttoDaeshagainsttheTalibanbyAfghanintelligence,regionalcountries,andafewwesterncountries.TheTalibanhavemanydocumentsaboutthisbutdonotwanttotalkaboutitopenly.Sometimesthisgroupsuddenlygetsweaponsandmoney,andthenitsmembersaremotivatedtoadvancetothenorth.ThiscreatesmoresuspicionthatthereareeffortsunderwaytotransformthesepeopleintoathreatforChinaandtheformerSovietcountries.
InApril2017,priortotheMoscowconferenceforAfghanistan,theUSannouncedtheuseofahugebombinNangarhar’sAchindistrictagainstDaesh,whichmanyanalystssaidwasjustapropagandamessage.
Duringthesixteenyearsofitsinvasion,theUSkepttheuseoftheirbombsandforcesasecret.ThereisnoonetoasktheUSaboutthebombsuseddaily.Sowhatistheneedforshowingthetypeofbombusednow?Ontheotherhand,thesizeandeffectsofthisbombarealsonotclear.
TheTalibanleadershipismoreworriedabouttheirregionalintentionsalongwithinternalconflicts.Theywanttoreachapositivepositionattheendoftheirresistance.TheyfearanothergameinAfghanistanagainstthecurrentresistanceandthefutureofAfghansthatcantakeAfghanstofacemoreunendingrogueryinthefuture.
THELAWLESSLAND
Foroveracentury,thetribesontheborderofAfghanistanandPakistanhaveusedinternalprinciplesandtribaltraditionstosolvetheirconflictsandissues.ButafterPakistancameintobeing,thesetribesmiredinconflictatlargerequiredtheinterferenceoftherepresentativeofPakistan’sgovernment,orpoliticalagentsappointedbythefederalgovernment.ThesepoliticalagentsmakedecisionsaccordingtothePakistanilawfortheFederallyAdministeredTribalAreas(FATA)knownastheFrontierCrimesRegulations(FCR)whichisaspecialsetoflawsonlyapplicabletoFATA.Thislawgivesconsiderableimportancetoregionalmaliksortribalelders.Butin2018,thePakistaniparliamentapprovedabillwhichmadeallthetribalareaspartoftheKhyber
parliamentapprovedabillwhichmadeallthetribalareaspartoftheKhyberPakhtunkhwaprovince.Thetribalpeoplearesplitintwoaboutthisdecision,asafewsupportitwhileotherswantaseparatetribalprovince.Butifeitheroftheirdemandsisaccepted,thiswillendtheoldFCRlawfromthetribalareaswhichwasinforcesincethetimeofBritishruleinthesubcontinentandthePashtuntribalbelt.
Waziristaninthetribalbeltholdsgreatimportance,andgarneredtheworld’sattentionafterSeptember11,2001.OneistheSouthWaziristanagencywhosecapitalisWana,andtheotherisNorthWaziristanwithMiranshahasitscapital.
MostofWaziristan’speoplebelongtotheWazirtribe.ThesecondmajortribeisMehsud(Maseed)inSouthWaziristanandtheadjoiningareas,andthethirdmajortribeistheDawartribeincludingafewSulaimankhelwholiveintheadjoiningareasofSouthandNorthWaziristan.
DuringtheBritishcolonialera,therewerewarsbetweenPashtuntribesandBritishforces,andsotheseareaswereknownasYaghistan–lawlessland.Thenationalmujahideenusedtolivethereandcommanderswouldorganisefightersfromthere.Thesepeoplewereveryintelligentandstrongwarriors.Theyalsohadpersonalconflictsandenmitiesbuthadajirgasystemtoresolveconflicts.TheyalsohadconsiderabletrustinIslamicscholarsandfamousSufis.
Longbeards,turbans,longhair,andsandalswithstripes,andagunontheshoulderofeverythirdpersonwasapartoftheirculture.
Ahundredyearsago,afterthereturnoftheAfghanKingAmanullahKhan,theconflictbetweenhimandIslamicscholarsincreased.ThefamousspiritualfamilyHazratanalsomigratedtoWaziristanforaperiod.
ThisareaalsoremainsashelterforHindimujahideenduringthewarsagainstSikhs,ledbySirSayyedBarelviandShahIsmailShaheed.
AftertheindependenceofPakistan,peopleoftheseareasengagedinfiercewarsfortheindependenceofKashmir.Theconqueredareaofpresent-dayindependentKashmirisaresultoftheirbattles.
WaziristanhadimportantAfghanmujahideenbasesincludingrefugeecamps,trainingcamps,andmadrassasduringthejihadagainsttheSovietinvasion.
trainingcamps,andmadrassasduringthejihadagainsttheSovietinvasion.
ThisareawasproudofitsfamousIslamicscholars.OneofthefamousjihadischolarswasMawlawiJalaluddinHaqqani,whohadthelargestbaseinthecentreofMiranshahinNorthWaziristan.Hehadamadrassa,amilitaryuniversity,andmanytrainingcentresinMiranshah.HehadfriendlyrelationswiththelocalsandIslamicscholars.HeorganisedthewaragainsttheSovietsinKhostprovincefromthereandconqueredtheprovince.
DuringtheTalibanruleandthecollapseoftheTalibangovernment,MawlawiHaqqani’sfamilyandsupporterstookadvantageoftheirinfluenceintheareaandstrengthenedtheirresistance.
AftertheUSinvasion,Afghanistan-basedArabsandthefamiliesofmilitantsfromCentralAsianRepublicsmovedtoSouthWaziristanthroughtheirlocalsupporterstoavoidanyharm.
MullahNekMuhammad,wholivedasafighterwiththeAfghanTalibaninKabulandwasafriendofthefamouscommanderSaifur-RahmanMansoorplayedanimportantroleinmovingthesefamiliestoSouthWaziristanandconvincinglocalpeopletogivetheirsupport.
Idonotwanttodiscussandgointodetailaboutthe17yearsofissuesofPakistanandWaziristanbecausethatwouldrequireaseparatebook.Ionlywishtopresentasummaryhere:
Whenreportsofforeignfightersbecamewellknown,theMusharrafgovernmentforcedtribalelderstofindasolutionfortheissue.Discussions,jirgas,andagreementstookplacesothatPakistancouldexpelthesepeopleorcontrolthemilitants.NekMuhammadwasadvisedasaPakistaninationalbyPakistanicirclesandlocalsupportersthatifhewishestoreduceproblems,heshouldseparatehimselffromAfghanissuesandendhisrelationswiththeAfghanTalibanandal-Qaeda.MullahNekMuhammadwasinfavourofeverysteptoprotecthisguestswiththeconditionofsafetyforrefugees.
Accordingtomyobservation,theTehreek-e-TalibanPakistan(TTP)wascreasedoutofthesameneedandMullahNekMuhammaddeclareditsleader.AnagreementwassignedwiththePakistanArmybasedonthemediationoftribal
agreementwassignedwiththePakistanArmybasedonthemediationoftribaleldersandafewIslamicscholars.Butthisagreementdidnotholdforalongtime.AfterthedeathofMullahNekMuhammad,theconditionsdeteriorated.TherefugeesturnedtotheMehsudtribe,andpeopleledbyAbdullahMehsudandBaitullahMehsudundertheTTP’sumbrellasupportedtheseforeignfighters.
AbdullahMehsudwasafriendoftheAfghanTaliban.AftertheUSinvasion,hewasarrestedbyUSforcesandimprisonedatGuantánamo.
AfterMullahNekMuhammad’sdeath,AbdullahMehsud(whoseactualnamewasMuhammadAlam)wasreleasedfromGuantánamoandcametohisarea.Hebecamefamousbecauseofhisimprisonment;thejihadiyouthofhisareaslikedhim.Ontheotherhand,onthebasisofhistribeandage,BaitullahMehsudwasconsideredeligiblefortheleadershipoftheTTP.AbdullahMehsudwantedtoseparatehimselffromtheseissues,andsohewentbacktoHelmandandjoinedtheAfghanTalibaninthewaragainstAmericans.
HekidnappedaChineseengineerbeforeleavingWaziristaninabidtoreleasehisfriendsfromthePakistanArmy.Afterawhile,hewassecretlyreturningtoWaziristanandstayedwithhisfriendsovernightatthehouseofamullahinZhob.ThePakistanArmycarriedoutaraidandhewaskilledinanexchangeoffire.
IhaveheardanamazingstoryaboutAbdullahMehsudfromoneofhisclosefiends,thatinhisyoungagehewasveryhandsomebuthadareligiousmindset.Oneofhisuncle’sdaughterswasverybeautifulandshewantedtomarryhim,buttheirfathersdidnotagree.TheirmarriagebidwasnotsuccessfulbecauseofPashtunrivalry.Whenthegirlmarriedsomeoneelse,shecommittedsuicide.ThisincidentdisheartenedMuhammadAlam.Hewasunabletotakeanystepagainsthisfatherandunclebecauseofhisreligiousbeliefs.Hevowedthathewouldnotmarryanyoneelse.Hestartedtodislikehisarea,anddecidedtogoforjihadandchangedfromMuhammadAlamtoAbdullahMehsud.BaitullahMehsudwasthenselectedastheleaderoftheTTPinWaziristanandothertribalareas.
TherewasenmityandconflictbetweentheTTPandPakistan’sArmybutBaitullahMehsudstillhadgoodtieswiththeAfghanTaliban.AfghanTaliban
BaitullahMehsudstillhadgoodtieswiththeAfghanTaliban.AfghanTalibanwerealsoreleasedintheirprisoners’exchangewiththePakistanArmy.In2007,duringtheexchangeofimprisonedPakistanigenerals,BaitullahMehsudwassuccessfulinreleasingHajiKhalil(JalaluddinHaqqani’sbrother)andDrNaseer(JalaluddinHaqqani’sson)andafewotherAfghanTalibanintheprisoners’exchange.
TherewasconsiderablechaosinthePakistanitribalareasinthenameofthePakistaniTaliban.Thelackoforganisedleadership,insubordination,andconspiraciescausedthewordTalibantobedefamedinPakistan.Ineverytribalagency,unidentifiedilliteratepeoplebeganmilitancyunderthenameoftheTaliban.Verdictswereissuedformurders.Thievesworkedunderanewnameandwereinvolvedinrobberiesandthefts.DifferentcommanderscameupinOrakzai,MohmandandKhyberAgency.Theydidn’thaveanAmirorMufti.Theyimplementedtheirowndecisionsandsentwarningletterstobusinessmenandaskedthemformoney.TheyusedthenamesofprovincialanddistrictgovernorsfromtheAfghanTaliban.TheAfghanTalibantriedtheirbesttoinvestigatetheseissues,anditwasproventhattheseactivitieshadbeencarriedoutundertheTaliban’snamebythesethieves.
ThischaosalsoimpactedorganisedgroupsinWaziristan.Murders,arrestingtriballeaders,andharassingpeoplecontinuedinthearea.ThisdisappointedthepeopleofWaziristanandloweredtheirmorale.TribalpeoplewerehumiliatedinthenameoftheTalibanandtheylaterfaceddifficultiesbecauseofmilitaryoperations.
AfterthedeathofBaitullahMehsud,therewasaverydifficultperiodwhileHakimullahMehsudandWaliur-RahmanMehsudwereleadingtheTTP.TheycarriedoutmanystrongattacksonthePakistanArmbutheandhisfriendshadverybadbehaviourwhichworsenedthesituationofWaziristan.Continuousdroneattacksalsoriledpeople.
ThetiesbetweentheAfghanTalibanandWaziristanwereendingatthetime.Themilitantsoftribalagencieswereoperatingoftheirownwill.RivalriesincreasedinWaziristanduetocallousness.AfterthedeathsofHakimullahandWaliur-RahmanMehsudtheconditionsworsenedorthePakistaniTaliban.Bloodshedensuedbecauseofinternalconflictsandwars.Theiralliancewas
Bloodshedensuedbecauseofinternalconflictsandwars.Theiralliancewasbrokenandtheystoodagainsteachother.ThiswasagoodchanceforPakistantodefeatthem.
Theywerethendividedindivergentgroups.HalfofthemjoinedDaesh,andtheremainingwereunabletostanduptotheirstrongstance.TheirtargetsandoperationscausedhatredofthemtoincreaseamongthepeopleofPakistan.
THEZABULBATTLE
ThefamousTalibancommanderMullahDadullah’sbrotherMullahBakht,orAkhtarMuhammad,namedhimselfasMansoorDadullahafterMullahDadullah’sdeathinHelmand.ThedetailsofhisbitternesswiththeTalibanarealsoexplainedelsewhereinthisbook.Iwilldiscussthedetailshereaboutthelaterwarandhisdeath.
In2014,MullahMansoorDadullahfirstreturnedhomelesstotheWarmaMaiareaofPaktika.AlocalcommandertherecalledAbdullahHunarhadrecentlypledgedallegiancetoDaesh.MansoorDadullahwantedtogetthesupportofpeoplethereandturntheplaceintohiscamp,butAbdullahHunarcreatedissuesforhim.OnJanuary19,2015,forthesecondandlasttimehemovedfromBalochistantoZabul’sKhakAfghanareaandhewantedtogetthesupportoftheKakartribetostrengthenhimself.OnJanuary1,2015,heopenlystatedhisreturnandthereasonbehindittothemedia.
In2015,whentheTalibanannouncedMullahOmar’sdeathduringthedaysofEid,MansoorDadullahconsideredthistobeagoodopportunityandannouncedrebellionagainstthenewTalibanleaderandbegandifferentpropagandaactivitiesthroughvideos.TheTalibanleadershiphadnoplanofmilitaryactionagainsthimsincehewasnotaforcetobereckonedwithandwasonlylimitedtomakingstatements.Afewotherpeoplealsohadsimilarstatementstomake;someofthemsurrenderedtotheTalibanlater,andafewdisappointedonesbecamequietlater.
MansoorDadullahdidnothaveahugegrouporfightersatthetime,buthewantedtofortifyhimselfoverregionalTalibancommandersonthebasisoftribalaffiliation.TheKakartribeinthisregionwasdividedintofoursub-tribes.Fromeachsub-tribetherewasoneTalibancommander,andtherefourintotal–
Fromeachsub-tribetherewasoneTalibancommander,andtherefourintotal–Khalid,AbdullahHaqmal,HanafiandNorani.ThepowerfulcommandersamongthesewereKhalidandHaqmal.WhentheconflictbetweentheTalibanandMansoorDadullahincreased,KhalidsupportedtheTalibanandHaqmaltriedtostopthewarandstayedneutral.HelatertriedtoprotectMansoorDadullah.
AfewpeoplelivedwithhimincludingAbdullahNaeemfromPaktika,whowasavillagerfromAbdullahHunar’sarea,threepeopleoftheKakartribefromBadghis,theTalibancommanderMawlawiRahmatullahandthreemilitants,MullahQalandar,anephewofMawlawiKhalisfromJalalabad,threeChechen,andoneKashmiriwhohadjoinedhim.MansoorDadullahmetpeopleatAbdullahHaqmal’shouse.
MawlawiMuhammadYunusKhalis’ssonMullahQalandarwasimprisonedbytheTalibanduringbattle,andhewaslaterforgivenbytheTaliban.Hesays:apersoncalledHafizSultanvisitedMansoorDadullahandwasconsideredtohavetieswithKandaharofficials.ThisHafizSultanwaslaterseeninfakepeacemeetingsinTurkeywearingacapandcoveringhimselfwithashawl.
ApersoncalledAbdulRahmanorRahmatullahWardakalsovisitedDadullahandadvisedhim.HewasprobablythesameRahmatullahWardakwhointroducedhimselfasanofficialTalibanrepresentativeduringthefakepeacemeetingsinTurkey.
AccordingtoMullahQalandar,twopeople–AzamLalaandAbdullahSamimKakarofHelmand–alsovisitedMansoorDadullah.
TheTalibanleadershipsentdelegationsthroughregionalmullahsandtribememberstoconvinceMansoorDadullahtoendhisenmityandtostopopposingtheTalibanmovementmilitarily.AsaTalibancommander,heshouldbeobedienttotheTalibanleadershipagainstforeigninvasion.TheTalibanwouldprovidehimeverypossibleresourceandapositionofhischoosing.
EventhoughMullahMuhammadOmarhadsaidinhislifetimethattheTalibanshouldnotkeepMansoorDadullahinthemovement,andsohewasnotapartoftheEmirateandwouldnotbeapartofitinthefuture.ButthesecondTalibanAmirMullahAkhtarMuhammadMansoornotonlywantedtoincludehiminthe
AmirMullahAkhtarMuhammadMansoornotonlywantedtoincludehiminthemovementbutalsogivehimanofficialposition.WhenMansoorDadullahwasreleasedfromaPakistaniprison,MullahAkhtarMuhammadMansoorgavehimcashtotransporthismilitants,andwhenhewasinprison,theTalibanleadershipprovidedmoneytohisfamilyforfinancialexpenses.
Ontheotherhand,MansoorDadullahannouncedhisindependentactivitiesandgroup,andalsodeclaredmutinyagainsttheTalibanleadership.UzbekandotherforeignfightersfromfourdistrictsofKabulhadthenannouncedtheiraffiliationwithDaesh.TherewasalargegroupofmilitantsledbytheformerUzbekfilmstarnicknamedUsmanGhazi,whoalsoannouncedtheiraffiliationwithDaesh.
AfewUzbeks,Uighur,andCentralAsianmilitantswhoreachedZabulwiththesupportofthelocalAfghanTalibancommandersaftertheUSbombingandstrongmilitaryoperationofthePakistanArmytotalledabout200to300innumber.TheTalibanconsideredthemtobeoppressedminorityimmigrants,andneverexpectedsuchissuestoarisefromtheirside.TheTalibanalsosupportedtheirfamiliesfinanciallyaccordingtotheinstructionsoftheTalibanleadership.
TheywerescatteredinfourdistrictsofZabulunderTalibanleadership,includingArghandab,Mezana,Daychopan,andKhak-eAfghan,buttheircentralbaseandmostoftheirelderswereintheKhak-eAfghandistrict.
AccordingtothesupportersandfightersofMansoorDadullahandMullahQalandar,theeyewitnesstothisbattle:AweekaftertheofficialannouncementofMullahOmar’sdeath,MansoorDadullahheldameetingwiththeUzbekDaeshleadershipinthepresenceofformermediatorsintheKharaniBazargiareaofKhak-eAfghan.
AccordingtoMullahQalandar,MansoorDadullahwantedtowieldinfluencewiththeKakartribe.HistieswiththeUzbekswerenotgoodbecausetheyhadapermanentmilitaryplananddidnotgivehimmuchimportance.ThesameUzbekorganisationwasalsojoinedbyDaeshsupportersfromothercountriessotheycouldorganiseandfighttheTaliban.
MullahQalandarsaysthatiftheTalibanhadnotbegunanoperation,therewasapossibilityofconflictbetweenMansoorDadullahandtheUzbeksbecausebothsidesweretryingtobecomeamilitarypowerintheareaandneitheracceptedthe
sidesweretryingtobecomeamilitarypowerintheareaandneitheracceptedtheother.EachsidehadAfghansympathisers.
SimilarissuescameupfortheTalibaninotherareasaswell,andtheystrategicallyconvincedandmademanywhowerehesitanthappy.Theyhadthesamepolicyhere,butuntilthekidnappingofHazarawomentheycreatedthetoolsforwar.TheTalibanleadershipsentadelegationofregionalIslamicscholarsandlocalTalibanelderstoMansoorDadullah.ItalsosentadelegationtoUzbekfightersundertheleadershipofHajiGul–thedeputyofEmirateintelligence–toconvincethemaboutregionalsensitivities,tostopindividualactivitiesandthekidnappingofmenandwomen.JannatGulhadspenttimewiththeformerUzbekcommanderTahirYuldashevandhadfriendlyrelationswithUzbeksdatingbacktothepast.Buttheseeffortsfailed.
ThekidnappingofwomenbyUzbeksintheregionandotherforeignersbeganwhenUzbeksintheMezanaareastoppedthreepublictransportcoasterscarryingpassengersoftheHazaratribeontheKandahar-Kabulhighway.ThesemilitantswantedthereleaseoftheirUzbekandforeignprisonersinexchangeforthekidnappedHazaras.TheywerefirstsuccessfulintheseeffortswhenthegovernmentreleasedtheirprisonersinexchangeforthecaptiveHazara.ButthegovernmentbegananoperationatthelocationwheretheyplannedtoexchangeprisonersandarrestedthreeUzbekmenandoneinjuredwomen.
Inresponse,UzbeksandtheirlocalsupporterskidnappedapublictransportvehicleofHazaraslivingintheSangMashaareaontheborderofGhazniandZabul.ThevehiclewasfullofHazaramenandwomen.ThiswasbrutishandcreatedhugeissuesamongthelocalsbecauseSunniPashtunsandShi’aHazarawerelivingtogetherhereandhadagreedontribalprinciplestoliveasneighbours.
TheHazarastookwomenandchildrenofaKakarfamilyhostageontheborderofGhazniandZabul.ThisfamilybelongedtothelargestKakarsub-tribe(AbdullahZoKakar.)TheKakarsrequestedMansoorDadullah’ssupportbuthewasunabletodoanything.ThetribaleldersrequestedtheTaliban,andtheTalibantoldtheUzbekstoreleasetheHazarawomenassoonaspossible,asthiswasnotallowedinIslamorAfghanculture.ButtheUzbeksinvolvedintheincidenthadalreadyswornloyaltytoDaeshandrefusedtoaccepttheTaliban’s
incidenthadalreadyswornloyaltytoDaeshandrefusedtoaccepttheTaliban’sorders.ThiscausedthemajorityofthelocalpopulationtogoagainstMansoorDadullahandforeignmilitants.
TheTalibandecidedtofreetheprisonersandsentalargeforcewhobesiegedthesemilitantsinearlyNovember2015.TherewasafiercewaragainsttheUzbekswhoresisted,andtherewereheavylosses.Mostofthehostagesincludingmenandwomenwerereleased,butsevenwomenthattheyhadtakentoArghandabwerekilledandtheircorpseswereburned.ThisactrevealedthattheyarerealfollowersofDaesh.MansoorDadullah,Uzbeks,andtheirlocalsupportersfoughttogetheragainsttheTalibaninthisbattle.MansoorDadullahreceivedseriousinjuriestohisrighteyeandleftleg,andhethendisappearedfromthearea.
TheTalibanbeganahousesearchfortheremainingmilitantsandHazarawomen.OnthethirddaytheywenttothehouseofcommanderAbdullahHunar,thesupporterofMansoorDadullah.Thewomenandchildrenhadleftthehousethreedaysago,andMansoorDadullahandtwoofhisfriendswerehidingthere.TheyshotattheTalibanandafterasix-hourgunbattlethewarendedwiththekillingofMansoorDadullah.HewaskilledontheafternoonofNovember11.
THEFUTUREOFTHETALIBANMILITARYANDPOLITICS,ANDSYSTEMATICISSUES
EventhoughtheTalibansucceededinovercomingextremecrisesandcontinuedtheirorganisedresistance,butthereliesapermanentpracticalandtechnicalproblemahead.Talibanfightersandcommanderscanfightwithcourageanddevotionbuttheyneedtodevelopadvancedtacticsandplans,andtheystillnotpreciseandintelligentenoughtodisturbtheplansandtacticsoftheopponents.
TheTalibanteachtheirfightersaboutthecommonrulingsofIslamandjihadasideologicaltraining.Theyaretaughtverylittleabouttheirbehaviourwithpeopleandtheirpeers,andtheirrivalsduringwar.Theyaremostlyunawareofnecessaryactionstotakeduringwar.ManytimespeoplegoagainsttheTalibanbecauseofthecarelessnessorineptharshnessofTalibanmilitants.
TheTalibanareverycarelessaboutintelligencetechnology,eventhoughtheyhaveseenafewseriousevents.Theydonotavoidtheuseofthetelephone,internet,andcamerasunderanyconditionandthisfacilitatestheenemyin
searching,killing,orcapturingTalibanmilitantsandleaders.
Thesedays,itisveryhardtowinawarwithoutthepresenceofstrongmediasupport.TheTalibandonothaveaneffectivemediauntilnowthatcommunicatestheirvoicetopeople.Peopleonlyseethoseyoungfighterswithgunsslungovertheirshoulderwhohavenootheractivityexceptwar.
TheseniorandgeneralleadershipoftheTalibanaresometimesunawareofeveryTalibangroup’sactivitiesandbehaviourwhichiswhyinafewareassomeTalibanmilitantsoperateaccordingtotheirwillandareinvolvedinunnecessaryactivities.Theytreatpeopleinappropriatelyandaresometimesinvolvedinoppressivebehaviour.
TheTalibandonothaveconsistentandsystematicplansinpoliticalanddiplomaticaffairs.Forexample,ifapersonhasestablishedacommunicationchannelthentheshuraandTalibanleadershipcannotsuperviseit.
Inpolitics,manyTalibanlookforshort-termbenefitsandadailysalary.Theydonotgiveimportancetofundamentalsorlong-termplanstoestablishties,andsoareunsuccessfulinmaintainingasustainable,strategic,andreliablefriendshipwithanyone.Forexample,ifduringavisittoonecountry,whenthecountrymakesanofferofeducationalscholarshipstotrainfiftyprofessionalcadres,buttheypreferafewhundredthousanddollarssupportinreturn,thenthesameTalibpersonallylooksforscholarshipsforhischildren.
TheTalibandonoteducateorcannotconvincetheirfollowersabouttheimportanceofmoderneducationinthetwenty-firstcentury,whichgivesrisetothefearthattheTalibanwillremainafightinggroupforeverandnotbecapableofbringingaboutanorganisedsystem.InthepreviousTalibangovernment,theworldneverblamedtheTalibanforthisastheysuddenlycameintopowerfromthemadrassas,andsoneededformercommunistsinprofessionalroles.Butifafter25yearsiftheTalibanhasnottrainedanyprofessionalengineer,doctororeconomist,thenthismeansthattheTalibandoesnotevenhaveapeontorunthegovernmentinthemodernera,andtheydonotevenhaveanyonewhocanunderstandtheeconomicandcomplextechnicalplansoftheenemy.TherearestillafewpeopleintheTalibanleadershipwhodonotconsideritnecessarytohaveinformationaboutmoderneducationandskillsintheworld.IfTaliban
haveinformationaboutmoderneducationandskillsintheworld.IfTalibanofficialshaveaplanforadministrationthentheonlypathistrainingprofessionalcadresandprovidinghighereducationtoyouth,alongwithwagingwaragainstforeignenemies.
ComputerandEnglishlanguagecoursesarenotstudies.Businessmen,seniorcitizenswhoareuneducated,andeventhedisabledcancompletethesecourses.Itisnowessentialinthisdayandagetotrainyouryouthinmodernsciencesandprovidequalityeducationatauniversitylevel.Thesedaysanationleftbehindinthisfieldfallsbehindineveryfield.
MullahAkhtarMuhammadMansoorwasaleaderintheTalibanwhointendedtosystemiseandmodernisetheTalibanmovementbesidesthestruggleagainsttheUS.Healsotookafewpracticalstepsinthisregard.ThisintelligentandforesightedTalibleaderalsotriedtoincludeafewAfghansfromotherareasintheTalibanleadershipinsteadoffromspecificareas.TheappointmentofKhalifaSirajuddinHaqqaniashisdeputywasalsoapartoftheseefforts.
OtherbookspublishedbyFirstDraftPublishing
IamAkbarAgha:MemoriesoftheAfghanJihadandthe
Taliban
SayyedMohammadAkbarAgha
FollowinginthetraditionofMullahZaeef’sMyLifeWiththeTaliban,AkbarAgha’smemoirtellsastoryofwar,friendshipandpoliticalintrigue.Startingin1980sKandahar,thedifficultiesandsuccessesofthemujahedeencomethroughclearlyasAkbarAghastrugglestoadministeragroupoffighters.HedetailsthedifferentgroupsfightinginKandahar,theircooperationandthescaleoftheSovietUnion’seffortstocrushthem.NotdirectlyaparticipantintheTalibangovernmentthatruledpost-1994,AkbarAghaoffersasometimes-criticalaccountoftheadministrationbuiltbymanyofhisformerfighters.AfterthefalloftheIslamicEmiratein2001,AkbarAghawasinvolvedintheJaishul-MuslimeenoppositiongroupandforthefirsttimehehasrevealedhisaccountofwhathappenedinthekidnappingofUNaidworkers.IAmAkbarAghaendswithananalysisoftheproblemsafflictingAfghanistanandoutlinesavisionfor
withananalysisoftheproblemsafflictingAfghanistanandoutlinesavisionforthepoliticalfutureofthecountrypost-electionsandpost-2015.AnandGopalhaswrittenanintroductiontothebook.
“Mandatoryreading”–GraemeSmith,SeniorAnalystforAfghanistan
BuyontheKindleStorehttp://www.amazon.com/Akbar-Agha-Memories-Publishing-Originals-ebook/dp/B00NFNE708
KandaharAssassins:StoriesfromtheAfghan-SovietWar
MohammadTahirAzizGumnam
Assassinationsareanear-dailyoccurrenceinAfghanistan.WhetherbyrogueAfghansecurityforcesorbyloneindividualsroamingthecitiesanddistricts,thethreatofatargetkillingisveryreal.KandaharAssassinsoffersanunparalleledviewofthisphenomenonfromtheperspectiveoftheassassins.Publishedin1986inPashtoandaperennialclassicinKandahar’sbookstores,KandaharAssassinstellsthestoryoftwowell-knownassassinswhooperatedinthesoutherncityduringthe1980swar.Thestoriesof‘LameGhazi’andCommanderGhaffariinvolveambitiousraidsandplotscarriedoutwithintheAfghan-controlledcity.ThisbookoffersacorrectivetotheideathatassassinationisanewphenomenoninAfghanistan.MohammadTahirAzizGumnamwasadoctorworkinginPakistanatthetime,allowinghimaccesstoavarietyoffigureswithintheAfghanmujahedeen.OriginallyfromKandahar,GumnamoffersinsightasanAfghanwhowasclosetoboththeeventsandthepeoplehedescribes.Judgingfromthisbook,thestyleandmannerofassassinationsinsouthernAfghanistandoesn’tappeartohavechangedmuch.KandaharAssassins,therefore,offersauniqueperspectiveontheworldofthesetargetkillersandhowtheycarryouttheiroperations.ItisanessentialreadforanysoldierservinginAfghanistanaswellasthoseseekingtounderstandthe
historybehindthecurrentconflict.DrDavidKilcullenwrotetheintroductiontothisEnglishtranslationofthebook.
“aThousand-and-OneNightsoftheAfghanjihad…adetailedandlyricalaccountofthewarthatheandhiscontemporariesfoughtagainstinKandaharduringthe1980s”–DrDavidKilcullen(fromhisintroduction),counterinsurgencyexpertandauthor
BuyontheKindleStorehttp://www.amazon.com/Kandahar-Assassins-Stories-Afghan-Soviet-Publishing-ebook/dp/B00NZWKUYG
AnUndesirableElement:AnAfghanMemoir
DrSharifFayez
ThisistheincrediblestoryofarelentlesseducatornamedSharifFayez,bornin1946inHerat,Afghanistan,whoborewitnesstotheCommunistinvasionof1979,theIranianrevolutionof1979,andwhoauthoredagroundbreakingPhDdissertationthatforeverlinkedthebestAmericanpoetrytoAfghanistanbyprovingthatWaltWhitmanhadreadandbeeninspiredbyRumi.ItisthestoryofhowSharifpursueseducationaboveallelseandbecomesaprofessoratKabulUniversityonlytofleeillegallytoIranwhentheSovietsinvade,wherehebecomescaughtintheviolentIslamicrevolutionasaprofessoratMashadUniversity.SurvivingtheAfghanandIraniangovernments’ruthlesscampaigntosilenceacademicsandtheirstudents,aswellastheIran-IraqWar,hebecomesaprominentvoiceofresistanceagainsttheTalibanandextremisminthe1990s,writinghundredsofarticles,andultimatelyreturnstoAfghanistanasasignatorytothe2001BonnConferenceandastheMinisterofHigherEducation.HecompletelyoverhaulstheAfghaneducationsystem,restoresco-educationtothecountryandestablishessixnewuniversities.Heisalmostsingle-handedlyresponsiblefortheincrediblestridestheAfghaneducationsystemhasmadesince2002.
“AnUndesirableElementisafascinatingtourthroughthetumultuousyearsthathelpedcreatemodernAfghanistan.FayezsurvivedSovietAfghanistanandrevolutionaryIran,onlytofindhimselfwatchingfromexileashiscountrydevoureditself.Improbably,hereturnsafter2001tohelpresurrectAfghanistan’sdevastatedhighereducationsystem,givinganinsideraccountofthechallengesofbuildingeducationinalanddominatedbywarlordsandfundamentalism.TheresultisapoignantreminderofhowmuchAfghanistanhasendured,andtheflickerofhopethatremainsdespiteitall.”—AnandGopal,authorofNoGoodMenAmongTheLiving
“Acompellingread,AnUndesirableElementrecountsanAfghanistanmanyhaveforgotten.Itservesasarallyingcrytoonceagainimagineallthatcountrymightbe.It’sataleasextraordinaryasthelandfromwhichitcomes.”—ElliotAckerman,authorofGreenOnBlue
“AnUndesirableElementmovesfastasflamesandoffersaluminousaccountofthelasthalfcenturyofAfghanconflictsandredevelopment.Trevithick’soralhistoryofSharifFayez’sstoryisatrove:fromakissontheheadbytheAfghanformerKingZahirShah,Fayez’slifeintersectedwiththefutureleadersandquietsupportersofhiscountry—bothheroicandtyrannical—fromColumbiaUniversitytoaPost-revolutionaryUniversityinMashad,Iran.FayezisamodestbutrobuststorytellerwhoseeventualpositionasAfghanistan’sfirstMinisterofEducationaftertheTalibanisonlyoneofthestrangetwistsandturnshisstoryoffers.HisdefthandlingintherebuildingofAfghanistanshouldbereadbyanyoneinterestedinhowonecanusepatienceanddeterminationtobringhopetoacountryreducedtorubble.”—AdamKlein,editor,“TheGiftsofTheState:NewAfghanWriting”
“Thetermvisionarytendstobemisappliedtothosewhoaremerelyheadstrong.ButitisaperfectlyaptdescriptionforSharifFayez,themostimportantfigureineducationin21st-centuryAfghanistan,yetonethathistorymayhaveneglectedwithouthismemoir.SuchanomissionwouldhavedeprivedfuturegenerationsofAfghansfromunderstandinghowFayez,perhapsmorethananysingleperson,createdhopeforthecountry’syoungmindsattheturnofthemillenniumand,insodoing,alteredanation’sdestiny.”—MartinKuz,Freelancejournalist
—MartinKuz,Freelancejournalist
BuyontheKindleStorehttp://www.amazon.com/Undesirable-Element-Afghan-Publishing-Originals-ebook/dp/B00P60ZU8Q
ObediencetotheAmir:AnearlyText
ontheAfghanTalibanMovement
MuftiRasheedLudhianvi
InthelastyearoftheTaliban’sgovernmentinAfghanistan,visitorstoMullahOmar’sofficeinKandaharreceivedapartinggift.Astheyleft,themovement’ssupremeleaderaskedthemtotakeaslimvolumefromapilebesidethedoor.HetoldthemthatiftheywantedtoknowhowtheTalibanweremeanttobehave,theyshouldreadthebook.ThebookswhichMullahOmarhandedoutwerePashtoandFarsitranslationofEta’tAmir,or‘ObediencetotheLeader’.MuftiRasheedpublishedtheoriginalinUrduafterhavingtouredTaliban-runAfghanistan.MullahOmar’sendorsementindicatesthathebelievedthatRasheedhadcapturedtheessenceoftheTalibanMovement.MichaelSempleandYameemaMithahavetranslatedthisimportantprimarysourceandaddedacommentaryandappraisal.
“Inwar,andespeciallyguerrillawar,thebestorganisedpartyislikelytowin.Whilenumbersoffightersandweaponscount,organisationdetermineswhethertheleadercanusethem.ThisbookistheguidetheAfghanTalibanusedtoorganisethemselvesdifferentlyfromotherAfghangroups.Anyonewhowantsto
defeatthemornegotiatewiththemshouldunderstandtheorganisationalprinciplesthatguidethem.”—BarnettR.Rubin,CenteronInternationalCooperation,NewYorkUniversity.
BuyontheKindleStorehttps://www.amazon.co.uk/Obedience-Amir-Taliban-Movement-Publishing-ebook/dp/B0183VF0HA