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Afghanistan-Pak-India
Taliban tactics
2005-10-12
October 12, 2005: When they get the chance, the Taliban seems to have been undertaking coordinated ambushes of late. The pattern apparently is that they set up a series of ambushes along the route they suspect an Afghan or Coalition patrol will pass – or perhaps have intel about. They let the patrol through one or two of the ambushes, and hit it with the second or third trap. That way, they can hit any relief column that approaches by the same route, or re-ambush the patrol as it tries to press on or retrace its steps. This trick probably won’t work too often, especially now that it’s become apparent that’s what they’re up to.

At least one prominent Taliban leader seems to be quietly urging the rest of the leadership to accept “amnesty and reconciliation” with the new Afghan government. Reportedly former Justice Minister Mullah Nooruddin Turabi, one of the most radical clerics during the Taliban regime (he supervised the religious police and directed the destruction of the two giant sandstone statues of the Buddha in Bamian), he is working with great caution, as he fears assassination by even more extreme elements.
Posted by:Steve

#3  and remember you can thank Jimmy (Give peace a chance) Carter and Zbigniew Brzezinski for those Stingers. Reagan and the Elephants get a bad rap.

http://www.gwu.edu/~nsarchiv/coldwar/interviews/episode-17/brzezinski2.html
Posted by: anymouse   2005-10-12 12:29  

#2  During the Soviet war, the Afghans pulled off one of the most appalling ambushes I have ever heard of. For their part, the (unknown) Russian commander in charge rivalled British General Elphinstone as one of the most incompetent commanders of all time.

A major highway connected two large cities. On one long stretch, it passed through a narrow valley between two long mountains. Oddly, on both ends of the highway, at the entrance and the exit of the mountain pass, were bridges over deep gorges. To protect this section of highway, there was a chain of outposts on *one* of the mountainsides facing it.

The Afghans crossed over the backside of that mountain, to engage the protective outposts from above. Before they were overwhelmed, and their positions taken, they radioed calls for help to both cities, who sent large armored and infantry reaction forces on the highway. Their air support was delayed for several hours, because of coordination problems.

The two reaction forces met on the highway, about at the middle area between the two mountains. Then the Afghans blew both bridges, trapping both reaction forces in the open. Tanks, tracks and trucks were then mercilessly hosed for several hours, until they were wiped out.

Then the Afghans withdrew back across the mountaintop over which they had come, leaving only a few of their number behind. When eventually, a huge number of Soviet CAS arrived, the only ones left to greet them were this few number.

Each of whom had several Stingers.

And thus, as the icing on the cake, many Soviet aircraft and helicopters joined the wreckage of the tanks, tracks, trucks, and human remains on the valley below.
Posted by: Anonymoose   2005-10-12 12:20  

#1  Islamo-cockroaches are no different than the drug lords of Mexico and Central/South America, US gangs, and the old-school Mafia. It's a one-way street.

What they have to realize is that they made choices...and may have to make the ultimate choice for the greater good.
Posted by: anymouse   2005-10-12 10:04  

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