Chapter 80

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Baghram is the most important military base for the Soviets. Not only can fighter jets take off and land here, but it can also accommodate tens of thousands of Soviet troops.

It is impossible to launch a surprise attack on such an airfield. For several kilometers around the airfield, there are barracks one after another, making it difficult to cross this distance.

Now, with the arrival of spring, the Soviets have stopped hibernating and are once again mobilizing their troops to prepare to encircle and annihilate the guerrillas in the Panjshir Valley.

"The 682nd Motorized Infantry Regiment has already arrived yesterday," Berglerad said to Kulikov in the division headquarters. "We can deploy the 177th and 682nd Motorized Infantry Regiments, as well as a regiment of the government army."

Kulikov's eyes were fixed on the sand table in front of him, where small flags were planted.

"The Panjshir Valley has a total of fifteen exits. These exits are flanked by high mountains that cannot be climbed. We will deploy heavy forces at these fifteen exits to hold the mountain passes, then advance layer by layer to completely eliminate the guerrillas entrenched here." The speaker, holding a cigar, had a mustache and sharp eyes.

This person was not from the 40th Army but had come from Moscow. This time, the operation to encircle and annihilate the guerrillas in the Panjshir Valley would be coordinated by this person.

This made Kulikov somewhat dissatisfied. Almost all the troops being used were from the 108th Division, and as the division commander, he should have full command authority. However, this person was constantly interfering with his operational plans.

This person was Colonel D'yak, the commander of a certain special operations brigade of the GRU.

The GRU, a mysterious special forces unit of the Soviet army, only came to light after the dissolution of the Soviet Union.

Although this person was just a colonel, he was deeply trusted by Moscow.

As the Afghan guerrillas became increasingly brazen and frequently attacked supply convoys, the Soviet troops stationed in Afghanistan were under immense pressure. The high command at home was dissatisfied with their performance, and now even a colonel could interfere with their operations.

Kulikov swallowed his dissatisfaction and said, "There are fifteen exits, and it's impossible for our troops to reach all of them at once. When we advance, the guerrillas will likely retreat deeper into the mountains, just like last year."

These fifteen exits are not together. Only by blocking them simultaneously can the Afghan guerrillas be trapped.

Last year, they had conducted a sweep of the Panjshir region. Unfortunately, the guerrillas, having received the news, retreated into the deep mountains and vanished without a trace. After a fruitless two-week search, the guerrillas suddenly reappeared.

Kulikov had long wanted to block these exits and trap the Afghan guerrillas, but it was impossible for him to block all the exits simultaneously.

"My troops will be responsible for ten of these exits," D'yak said casually, pointing to the mountain passes on the sand table with his cigar.

Cigar ash fell onto the sand table, and D'yak unceremoniously flicked the cigar, using the ash to mark the mountain passes.

These were the mountain passes farthest from the main roads, extremely difficult to reach. The Afghan guerrillas were now very sensitive to the sound of Mi-8 helicopters. If they were used to transport troops, the cunning guerrillas might detect them. If they went on foot, it would drive all the soldiers crazy.

Seeing D'yak speak so casually, Kulikov could not help but say, "Fine, then please have your troops control these ten exits. My troops will be responsible for the remaining five exits and the search in the mountains."

The remaining five exits were all on the main roads at the bottom of the valley. By sending a vanguard unit to quickly penetrate, they could be completely controlled. Since the other side had taken on such an important task, Kulikov could only "reluctantly" agree.

The search in the mountains required more troops, and every cave had to be thoroughly searched.

"Fine, then we will control these exits by the early morning of the 13th. I wonder if the 108th Division has any problems with this?" D'yak asked.

It was already the 10th, and the early morning of the 13th was only about two days away. Seeing D'yak's smug look, Kulikov knew that although they were still in discussion, D'yak's troops had probably already entered the combat zone. This guy was operating in his defense area without prior consultation!

"All supplies are prepared, and we can move within two days without any problems," Kulikov said.

"Fine, then we'll meet in the Panjshir Valley." With that, D'yak strode out.

"Spit!" Seeing D'yak leave, the other officers could not help but spit. This guy was so arrogant, treating everyone with disdain.

"Those exits are difficult to reach. Let's see how he gets there!" one officer said.

Division Commander Kulikov knew some of the truth. D'yak's troops this time were all Uzbeks and Tajiks who could speak fluent Afghan languages. These people might have already infiltrated the mountains, waiting to block the mountain passes.

The rugged terrain is easy to defend but hard to attack. A narrow mountain pass can be held by a single infantry squad with sufficient ammunition. The only problem is how to penetrate it.

For the 108th Division, it was difficult to penetrate deep into the mountains without being discovered by the local inhabitants.

As night deepened, a cool evening breeze gently blew over the hills in the mountains.

An Afghan guerrilla, carrying a gun, stood at a mountain pass. The news that the Soviets were about to enter the Panjshir Valley had already spread, and everyone was on high alert. These mountain passes were crucial for the guerrillas' entry and exit, and they were very important.

The guerrilla was vigilant, his eyes fixed on the dark mountains, occasionally rubbing his hands. It was too cold here, and the mountain wind had penetrated his thin clothes.

Suddenly, a rustling sound came from behind. The guerrilla immediately turned around, but as he did, a pair of large hands appeared on his back, covering his mouth.

The guerrilla knew he had made a serious mistake. He tried to pull the trigger to alert his comrades, but before his hand could touch the trigger, a sharp military knife pierced his chest.

His body trembled and slowly fell to the ground, blood flowing from his chest. As the blood drained, his body quickly turned cold.

"Report, Pass No. 3 is under control." After eliminating the guerrilla, several figures appeared in the darkness. They were all dressed in local Afghan clothing, blending in with the mountain residents, and quickly took up advantageous positions at the mountain pass, aiming their guns at the dark mountain pass.

They were now in complete control. They could almost see countless guerrillas charging at them, one after another, but they would not be able to break through. This was the death zone for the guerrillas.

In the dark of night, one by one, the mountain passes far from the valley bottom were quickly controlled. The GRU special forces demonstrated their high efficiency. By cutting off these passes, the routes connecting the Panjshir guerrillas to the provinces of Badakhshan, Baghlan, and Laghman were severed, leaving them to wait for their doom inside.

Southwest Valley Pass, Gulbahar.

This is a key town in the southwest of the Panjshir Valley, with roads leading to Kabul and towns within the valley such as Rukha, Astana, and Zenia. It is only twenty kilometers from the Baghram Air Base.

The Soviets could not control the safety of transportation throughout the long valley, but they had deployed heavy forces at this pass. Especially as the troops were about to enter the valley, countless military supplies were transported from Baghram to Gulbahar.

A vanguard unit, a battalion of the 682nd Motorized Infantry Regiment, was guarding Gulbahar. At this moment, supply convoys were still continuously arriving from Baghram.

The headlights pierced the darkness, and the roar of engines startled the birds that had already fallen asleep.

On a hill five kilometers from Gulbahar, a group of people were watching the town like prey.

"There are civilians in the town. We cannot let artillery fire enter the town," a voice whispered. It was Fahim. "How accurate are your rockets?"

The mountain roads were too difficult, and Muhammad's idea of bringing multiple rocket launchers had to be abandoned. He could only have his guerrillas carry 107mm rockets here.

Accompanying Muhammad was a squad of Fahim's, a total of ten people.

Muhammad suggested a heavy strike against the Soviets. When Muhammad shared his idea, Masood was clearly interested but did not want to participate.

Muhammad knew that Masood did not believe he could eliminate the most important forward base of the sweep operation in Gulbahar. There were armored vehicles and tanks here, and attacking here would increase the guerrillas' casualties.

So, Masood continued to command the guerrilla war from a secret location in the mountains and sent his most trusted Fahim to observe Muhammad's tactics.

Seeing the rockets laid out without any launch tubes, Fahim immediately kindly reminded Muhammad that the town was inhabited by Tajik compatriots and should not be bombed.

"A bit less accurate than a sniper rifle," Muhammad said, watching Osama and others quickly aim. This time, they had thirty rockets ready.

The Soviets were still unaware of the impending attack and continued their busy activities.

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