Soviet-Afghan War

On the outskirts of Kayan village, hundreds of militiamen - part of the Ismaeli Defense Force - stand at review. Sayed Jaffar states, “Our defense force controls fifty miles of the Salang Highway, the main supply road from the Soviet border to Kabul. Without my men, Russian trucks would never make it to Kabul.

“Our defense force also controls the old road to Kabul so the mujahideen can get their supplies. I have over twelve thousand men fighting against whoever wants to mess around with us.”