The Other Side of the Mountain: Mujahideen ... - Tribal Analysis Center

VIGNETTE 2
BLOCKING THE PAGHMAN HIGHWAY
by Commander Haji Aaquelshah Sahak
I have been in many actions, but one stands out that I won't ever
forget, because it was a very trying situation. On 4 or 5 June 1983 we
were in Paghman, a district capital (garrisoned by DRA forces), 2 which
is some 25 kilometers west of Kabul. We received information one
evening that a major Soviet/DRA column Would attempt to resupply
and reinforce Paghman's garrison and government enclave. There are
two parallel highways from Kabul to Paghman. (Map 6-2 - Paghman)
The late Commander Habibullah, the late Commander Wahed and others
planned to block the convoy. They had some 250 to 300 Mujahideen
armed with two mortars, one recoilless rifle, 12 RPG-7s, and some
Kalashnikov and Enfield rifles. They assigned sectors of responsibility
to different groups. Each group would block the highway with
ambushes in its sector. Habibullah (HIK), Commander Aman (IUA)
and I (NIFA) were given the sector from Khwajajam to Khwaja
Musafer. Khwaja jam is about a kilometer from the Cheltan road fork.
We occupied positions primarily on the south side of the road.
Commanders Ajabgul, Wahed, Abduljan and Kochi had the sector from
Khwaja Musafer to Pajak. They occupied ambush positions mostly on
the southern side of the road. From Pajak to Paghman, Mujahideen
occupied ambush positions on both sides of the road.
We occupied our ambush positions at night. The next morning, the
column left Kabul. As the leading armored vehicle reached Kwaja
Musafer, we opened fire. The ambush turned into a battle as we
destroyed 11 armored vehicles and two helicopters. Enemy aircraft
and helicopters continually tried to drive us from our positions, but we
held and the fighting continued for three days. 3 Even during the fight-
Commander Haji Aaquelshah Sahak is from the Chardehi District of Kabul (which is a
southern suburb). He was affiliated with NIFA. [Map sheets 2786 and 2886].
2 Reportedly two companies from the 200th Separate Reconnaissance Battalion.
3 Zakari, a Mujahideen in Commander Sahak's group, gave the following account of a portion
of the battle. "I had an 11-shooter [bolt-action Enfield rifle]. It held 10 rounds in the
magazine and one in the chamber. The Russians knew the sound of the 11 shooter and
would count off the 11 shots and then charge after the 11th shot while you were trying to
reload. I was shooting at this Russian and had fired all 11 shots. He had counted my shots
off and charged me. I yelled for help to my friend who had an RPG-7 antitank grenade
launcher. 'What, shoot him with this thing?' my friend replied. 'Yes, he'll kill me' I
answered. 'Okay" he yelled and fired his RPG-7. It completely disintegrated the Russian."