Famed resistance of Panjshir Valley weakens; Massoud calls for national uprising

All eyes are now on Ahmed Massoud, the son of 'Lion of Panjshir', to whom the valley is indebted for its freedom from extremist forces since the Soviet era. Al Qaeda militants killed Senior Massoud in 2001. Now, the Taliban are claiming full control over the valley. A report on how the valley protected itself from the intrusion of outsiders

New Delhi: Panjshir Valley, known for its resistance against extremist forces like Al Qaeda and the Taliban in Kabul, is facing the biggest test of the times. While the famed resistance of the valley is waning to the shock of the world, Ahmad Massoud, the 32-year-old leader of the National Resistance Front of Afghanistan (NRFA) said the movement will fight till its last breath to save the population of around 1.75 lakh.

Massoud has refuted the claims of the Taliban's complete take over of the valley and has made an emotional appeal to the people of Afghanistan. In an audio message sent to the media, he said, "Wherever you are, inside or outside, I call on you to begin a national uprising for the dignity, freedom and prosperity of our country."

Located in the Hindukush Mountains, Panjshir is situated along the Panjshir River that covers the entire stretch of the valley. With Bazarak as the provincial capital, it is surrounded by Baghlan and Takhar in the north, Badakhshan and Nuristan in the east, Laghman and Kapisa in the south and Parwan in the west. The steep mountain cliffs on either side of the river make it next to impossible to navigate through via land routes. The mountains, however, have some routes that can be trekked along but are known only to the locals and not meant for large forces to enter. The valley's topography, limited approach roads and the ethnic Tajik population make it so difficult for outsiders to enter the valley.

Khawak Pass that links Panjshir with Baghlan Province and the Anjuman Pass - connect the valley to Badakhshan provinces of Afghanistan - are the only two gateways for the outside world to enter Panjshir. However, the tribals supporting Ahmed Massoud and Amrulah Saleh, the former vice-president of Afghanistan, had managed to block the Taliban from entering the valley.

Another important reason for Panjshir's defence is that the valley comprises a predominant Tajik population that always receives support from Tajikistan, the valley's neighbour the North East. This loyalty coupled with manpower is another reason why the valley has always remained unconquered. The rich mineral resources of the valley have allowed the locals to lead a healthy lifestyle and their income is more than the average income of Afghanistan.

Also, the Tajik fighters have been fighting the invading forces for over four decades. Initially, it was the Soviet Union in the 1980s and then the Taliban 1.0 in the late 1990s. Now, it is the Taliban 2.0. The collective efforts of these fighters in a bid to protect the valley have led them to build a formidable fortress that includes tunnels, underground bunkers, escape routes and routes to misguide invaders.

This history of the valley’s independence has been closely linked to Ahmad Shah Massoud, father of Ahmed Massoud, the brave face of the anti-Taliban Resistance Movement in Afghanistan. The senior Massoud, popularly known as the 'Lion of Panjshir' was Afghanistan’s most famed anti-Taliban fighter. He was killed by suspected Al Qaeda militants in 2001.

The senior Massoud's regime saw Panjshir successfully defeating the communist government in Kabul and the Soviet Union. After the Soviet Union withdrew in 1989, civil war broke out in Afghanistan and the Taliban clinched victory. However, Massoud and his United Front, also known as the Northern Alliance, succeeded in controlling not only the Panjshir Valley but almost all of northeastern Afghanistan up to the border with China and Tajikistan from the clutches of the Taliban.

A few years after Shah Massoud's assassination, Panjshir became a separate province from adjacent Parwan Province in 2004. It is surrounded by Baghlan and Takhar in the north, Badakhshan and Nuristan in the east, Laghman and Kapisa in the south, and Parwan in the west.

Now, with Pakistan's Inter-services Intelligence Directorate ( ISI ) publically lending support to the Taliban 2.0, Panjshir's long history of resistance has become a mirage.