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

Page 246 The Other Side of the Mountain: Mujahideen Tactics in the Soviet-Afghan War
None of the enemy's three objectives were achieved, but our losses
were very heavy with about 250 MA. The enemy spread rumors that
they killed more than 2,000 of us. I don't know what the enemy
losses were, but we saw blood trails and blood pools all over the
former enemy positions. The enemy had done very hateful things in
the villages they occupied. They defecated in the crockery, smashed
pots and furniture, and destroyed villagers' food by cutting open sacks
of wheat, flour, salt and sugar and pouring it out on the ground. They
also pulled down walls, broke doors and ruined houses.
COMMENTARY: The Soviets and DRA throughly planned this operation.
The converging movement of three columns from three directions
was a desirable operational maneuver since it left the initiative
in the Soviets' hands and kept the Mujahideen off balance. However,
once the Soviet/DRA force entered the green zone, the terrain and
Mujahideen active defense split the communist force into a series of
isolated pockets which the Mujahideen were able to contain. The
Soviet/DRA force lost the momentum of the attack and were unable
to regain it. The initiative passed to the Mujahideen.
The Mujahideen planned their defense throughly. They conducted
an active defense which incorporated tactical maneuver. They
maintained a central reserve and had the advantage of interior lines.
Terrain, well-constructed field fortifications and an aggressive
defense enabled the Mujahideen to split the Soviet/DRA forces into
isolated groups and stop their advance.
The Soviets and DRA did little to win the hearts and minds of the
populace outside of the areas they controlled. On the other hand,
Mujahideen activity often endangered the lives and property of the
populace. During the course of the war, the Soviets never controlled
Baraki Barak, but they bombed and shelled it continually. Farming was
disrupted and most of the population migrated to Pakistan or the cities.