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Mujahideen Tactics in the Soviet-Afghan War - Bennett Park Raiders

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Chapter 2, Vignette 9 Page 99<br />

eight days stripp<strong>in</strong>g all <strong>the</strong> ammunition, weapons and supplies out of<br />

<strong>the</strong> bases and outposts. We hauled <strong>the</strong> spoils of war <strong>in</strong>to <strong>the</strong> mounta<strong>in</strong>s.<br />

We captured about 100 weapons and an enormous amount of<br />

ammunition. At <strong>the</strong> end of our eight days, I withdrew my detachment<br />

and we returned to our base. I lost six KIA and 18 WIA or about 30%<br />

of my force. Enemy losses were heavier and <strong>in</strong>cluded some 50 killed or<br />

wounded and 24 soldiers captured.<br />

COMMENTARY: The terra<strong>in</strong> played a major role <strong>in</strong> shap<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> battle.<br />

The <strong>Soviet</strong>s/DRA controlled <strong>the</strong> ribbon of highway runn<strong>in</strong>g through a<br />

narrow gorge, while <strong>the</strong> <strong>Mujahideen</strong> controlled <strong>the</strong> surround<strong>in</strong>g mounta<strong>in</strong>s<br />

whenever <strong>the</strong>y wanted to. The <strong>Mujahideen</strong> had <strong>the</strong> freedom to<br />

choose <strong>the</strong> time and place to raid dozens of security outposts spr<strong>in</strong>kled<br />

along <strong>the</strong> treacherous highway snak<strong>in</strong>g through <strong>the</strong> very narrow<br />

canyon <strong>in</strong> Mahipar and <strong>the</strong> Wreshm<strong>in</strong> Tangay. In <strong>the</strong> Wreshm<strong>in</strong><br />

Tangay, virtually all <strong>Mujahideen</strong> groups habitually first attacked <strong>the</strong><br />

two ma<strong>in</strong> bridges i.e. Dabili and Dargo. Then, after destroy<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong><br />

bridges, <strong>the</strong>y would attack <strong>the</strong> rest of <strong>the</strong> security posts from both<br />

ends. This method proved to be <strong>the</strong> most effective one given <strong>the</strong> terra<strong>in</strong>,<br />

m<strong>in</strong>efields, enemy dispositions and <strong>Mujahideen</strong> capabilities.

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