AbdulHaiMutma’in:TalibanACriticalHistoryfromWithin

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