Dear Sir,
Your report about the present state of Afghan army gives a variety
of views. I would like to share my personal observations.
In August three years ago, enroute fro Jalalbad to Kabul I was
invited by a youngman, a Talib to stay with him in Kabul. I
accepted the invitation. In Kabul we went to a Taliban military
residential camp. It comprised a number of double storey
buildings. I am not sure what was the original purpose of the
camp buildings, but noting the type of beds, I guessed it
could have been an hospital or the like.
The Taliban a few hundred lived a very spartan life. They are
given a loaf and half of bread for the lunc and another loaf
for supper. Any gravy and tea they have to procure on their
own. I am not sure if they received any salary, but feel none
got any. The boys come from their villages in rotation for a
few months period to serve as Taliban and then go back to
be replaced by a fresh group.
They boys took the job seriously and did not appeared to be
under much compulsion. They seemed pretty dedicated to
their cause and felt Taliban are doing best for the country.
Back in Kabul I noted the civil servants as a routine
alternated their duties in offices with a spell of fighting
once every two or so weeks. Senior civil servant
including ministers found this practice as normal. At
times they failed to return to job in Kabul. I was told
such fellow is wounded or is dead.
The way of life of an Afghan soldier is in no way different
from a common citizen. They don't have to do much
to chage roles. Every male adult is trained and prepared
to go to battle. The logistic arrangements are very sparse.
Every person seem fully conversant with most of the
weapons they handle. And may not find it difficult to
adopt new ones if they could lay hands on. The primitive
nature of Afghans does not stand in the ways of his using
any kind of war technology.
The Afghan are very resilient and can lose very little in
any type of war, short of nuclear.
Tariq
