Chapter 2 continues…

The emergence of the Taleban marked a new phase in Afghan politics. The oft-repeated story about their emergence tells that they appeared on the scene in November 1994 when an experimental trade convoy carrying food and medicines for the Central Asian Republics (CARs) en route Afghanistan, was stranded in Kandahar after the local warlords refused permission for onward journey unless their share was offloaded.

Reports claimed that the entire caravan of 30 trucks carrying food, medicine, surgical instruments and cigarettes was detained and looted at gunpoint by the armed men loyal to Kandahar governor Gul Agha and two other commanders, Amir Lalai and Mansoor of the disbanded Asmat militia. High tension was reported in the region following October 31 looting as another commander, M. Khan Ghazibi, had taken up position and alerted his armed men, warplanes and tanks to repulse the attack. Officials of various institutions based near the bordering town of Chaman also rushed to recover the goods.

In the meantime, the new administrators of the Afghan province of Kandahar, comprising Talebs (religious students) who had recently captured the area by driving the local warlords out, had declared that no Pakistani trade convoy would be allowed to pass through the region unless Afghan businessmen were permitted to use Pakistani territory for trade purposes. The religious students who were taking part in the 11year jihad launched by seven Afghan mujahideen groups revolted and took arms against the local warlords.

They invaded various strongholds of the commanders and gained control within hours. Fierce fighting took place between the Talebs and local commanders as the convoy escorts that included two senior ISI officers were held hostage. The Talebs later liberated the hostages and recovered the looted goods and the convoy was given a safe passage to Uzbekistan.

To be continued…