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

VIGNETTE 2
A NEW YEARS PRESENT FOR THE SOVIETS
by Mawlawi Shukur Yasini
The Soviets invaded Afghanistan on 27 December 1979. I decided
that we should give them a combination anniversary and New Years
present on 29 December 1983. The present would be a shelling attack
on the 66th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade at Samarkhel. I assembled
150 Mujahideen with two 82mm mortars, two RPG-7s, one recoilless
rifle, and five or six antitank mines. We had 250 mortar rounds
for the attack. I placed my nephew Shapur in command. He formed
four groups: a mortar group commanded by Awozubellah; a mortar
group commanded by my son Abdul Basir; an observation post/fire
adjustment group commanded by Shapur; and a light group. We started
moving the ammunition and supplies on donkeys and mules two
days before the attack. We had to move all of it across the Kabul River
and stockpile it in the village of Gerdi Kats. From there we had to
move it to Khwaja Hanafi Baba Ghar Mountain overlooking
Samarkhel (Map 3-2 - New Year).
We moved all the ammunition and supplies to the mountain area
undetected during the two days. We set up the mortars behind the
mountain and set up the observation post on top. The light group had
the recoilless rifle, RPGs and antitank mines. They crossed the river
at Bela at night and went through Samarkhel to the west. Local
Mujahideen met them, guided them to the objective and helped them
plant the mines. They planted the mines in the road near the main
gate of the compound near a mosque. Our plan was to start with a
quick strike by the light group and then follow on with the mortar
attack. The 66th Brigade was garrisoned in barracks and tents, so we
hoped that our mortar fire would be effective against them. It was a
rainy night with lots of lightning. The light group launched the attack
at 2200 by firing the recoilless rifle and RPGs at the main gate of the
enemy compound. The enemy reacted with tanks and APCs which
came roaring out of the gate. Two of them were destroyed or damaged
by the antitank mines. The light group withdrew. At the same time,
the mortars went into action. They sent all 250 rounds of hot steel into
the enemy compound as our New Year's present to the 66th Brigade.
The 66th Brigade responded with BM-21s, artillery and mortars.
Mawlawi Shukur Yasini is the narrator of the previous vignette. [Map sheet 3185].