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

VIGNETTE 2
DEFENDING SURKHAB BASE CAMP
by Haji Sayed Mohammad Hanif
In 1980, the Mujahideen began establishing bases in the mountains
near the village of Surkhab in Lowgar Province. There were
perhaps 150 Mujahideen in the area belonging to several factions.
Mawlawi Mohammad Yusuf of the ANLF, Mawlawi Mohammadin of
the IRMA and small groups from JIA and IUA established bases
there. My base was in the mountains east of Surkhab in a canyon
called Durow. We had 82mm mortars, DShKs and RPG-7s. Early in
the morning of the 5th of June 1980, a mixed DRA/Soviet column
came from Kabul and exited highway 157 at Pule-e Kandahari
heading east. They were coming for us. They deployed their artillery
and began shelling our bases. Most of the Mujahideen were in
their villages at that time. They came out of their villages and occupied
defensive positions while other Mujahideen joined them from
their mountain bases.
In order to block the advance of the enemy into our mountain
bases, we occupied blocking positions on Spin Ghar mountain overlooking
Dara village (Map 11-2 - Surkhab). Other Mujahideen occupied
positions south of Durow Canyon on Lakay Ghar mountain. Our
original plan was to defend the forward slopes of Spin Ghar and
Lakay Ghar. We set an ambush forward of our main defenses. It
inflicted casualties but was eventually overwhelmed. After their
artillery preparation, enemy tanks and infantry moved along the
valley road from Korek and attacked Mujahideen positions at the
canyon's western mouth. Fighting was heavy. This was our first
experience fighting the Soviets. Their helicopters came in to evacuate
their dead and wounded. Our civilians suffered horribly. The
people began leaving their homes and fleeing to the mountains.
Fighting continued all day long, but the enemy was unable to break
through the Mujahideen positions.
On the second day, there were fewer Mujahideen fighting, as
some had left the area overnight. The enemy firing kept tremendous
pressure on the remaining Mujahideen and many had to withdraw
from their fighting positions. There is a covered approach to Spin
Ghar mountain from the north using the Tobagi plain. This plain is
Haji Sayed Mohammad Hanif is from Logar Province. [Map sheet 2885, vic grid 2577].