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

VIGNETJE 2
DEFENDING AGAINST AN OFFENSIVE IN PAGHMAN
by Tsaranwal Sher Habib
In August 1982, the Soviet/DRA forces launched a search and
destroy operation against Mujahideen bases in Paghman. There were
two enemy columns. The main column moved southwest from Kabul
and then turned northwest onto the main highway to Paghman. Its
mission was to destroy resistance bases in the center, south and southwest
of the Paghman area. The other, smaller column moved north
from Kabul and then turned northwest. Its mission was to block
Mujahideen escape routes along the northeastern edge of Paghman
through Ghaza and Zarshakh villages (Map 10-2 - Ghaza). 4
Initially, the movement of the two columns in opposite directions
deceived the Mujahideen as to their enemy's real intention.
Nevertheless, when the Mujahideen saw the main column heading
toward the city of Paghman and its western and southern suburbs,
they quickly occupied prepared defensive positions and readied themselves
for battle. However, the Mujahideen lost track of the northernmost
column. It came through the town of Karez-e Mir and moved
undetected to take up positions on the hills between Somochak and
Ghaza. From the hill positions, the enemy column commanded the
main road from Paghman to the Shamali plain north of Kabul.
The next morning I dispatched two escorts to take one of my
wounded Mujahideen to Shamali for treatment. As they moved
through the Somochak Valley, they were ambushed and the escorts
were killed. The local Mujahideen from Somochak village went to
investigate and discovered that Soviet troops had occupied the ridge
overlooking the village. The Somochak Mujahideen attacked the ridge,
but the Soviets were too strong to be overrun. Other Mujahideen in
the area began to discover the enemy presence. Mujahideen in the
village bases of Qala-e Hakim and Isakhel and in the valley base of
Dara-e Zargar joined together. I took some 30 or 40 Mujahideen onto
Tsaranwal (Attorney) Sher Habib commanded the Ibrahimkhel Front north of the city of
Paghman. His primary AO extended from Paghman east and northeast to Kabul (some 20
kilometers). [Map sheet 2786, 2886].
4
The forces on the main axis were probably from the Soviet 108th Motorized Rifle
Division, while DRA forces were probably from the 8th Infantry Division, 37th Commando
Brigade and 15th Tank Brigade. The forces on the northern axis were probably from the
Soviet 103rd Airborne Division.