Allied soldiers explore caves along Pakistani border, finding photographs, documents, jail cells

Associated Press ^ | 4-6-02 | MICHELLE BOORSTEIN

[Oldeconomybuyer]

BAGRAM, Afghanistan (AP) --

[Salman]

bump

[Oldeconomybuyer]

U.S. soldiers from Alpha 101st Airborne Division walk behind two locals from the Zhawar Kili mountain complex, Paktia province, Eastern Afghanistan, Wednesday April 3, 2002. The soldiers were taking part in operation 'Mountain Lion.' (AP Photo/Adam Butler)

Soldiers from Alpha 101st Airborne Division check a cave Tuesday April 2, 2002 in the Zhawar Kili mountain complex, Paktia province, Eastern Afghanistan, while participating in operation 'Mountain Lion.' (AP Photo/Adam Butler)

Soldiers from U.S. Alpha 101st Airborne Division check a cave Tuesday April 2, 2002 in the Zhawar Kili mountain complex, Paktia province, Eastern Afghanistan, while participating in operation 'Mountain Lion.' (AP Photo/Adam Butler)

Soldiers from Alpha 101st Airborne Division, having just arrived Tuesday April 2, 2001 in the departing Chinook helicopter, take part in operation "Mountain Lion," in the Zhawar Kili mountain complex, Paktia province, Eastern Afghanistan. (AP Photo/Adam Butler)

[Common Tator]

One of the things that led to our victory was the Taliban belief that we would do what the Russians did.

The Afghanistan resistors retreated from the Russians into the mountains. There they had and continuted to construct real fortresses. They were caves in mountains made from solid rock mountains. The mountain range often with a valley between them were impossible for the Russians to attack. They could not blow up the caves and they could not attack from the air or ground without being killed.

Our smart wepons were able to penetrate the caves and kill many inside. Those that remained escaped into Pakistan. They felt that a waiting game is in order. When we left they would come back to the caves and start a guerila war on the cities below.

If we were able to drive them from the caves in the winter the snow covered mountains would severely limit what they could take with them. The major weapons had to be left behind.

What 101st is doing is destroying the massive store of weapons they left behind and the natural and man made caves in the mountains.

If they try to come back, they will have to create caves in which to hide and transport weapons in with which to fight. No caves and only small arms, make them sitting ducks.

What this mostly proves is how poor of quality the Soviet Army really was and how ignorant of the U.S. the Militant Muslims really are. I think the Muslims have spent way too much time watching CNN.

[fnord]

isn't that first photo Hall and Oates ??

[BrooklynGOP]

What this mostly proves is how poor of quality the Soviet Army really was and how ignorant of the U.S. the Militant Muslims really are. I think the Muslims have spent way too much time watching CNN

I have to disagree. Russians tried to occupy Afghanistan, we didn't. So you can't really compare the too. Russian, I believe, took Kabul in 3 days.

[Oldeconomybuyer]

Ya know, they look less like Hall and Oats and more like US special forces dressed as locals...

[blastdad51]

Tell those guys to keep thier fingers off the trigger untill they're read to shoot. The tall guy with the cool shades looks like he's gonna shoot his buddies nose off!!!! No wonder the Taliban got thier butts kicked so quickly, no one ever taught these people the basics

[KeepUSfree]

The one on the right looks like David Crosby to me.....
Well, I mean, before he got old and fat!!!

[angcat]

i was thinking a young gallagher......the comedian....................

[Principle Over Politics]

In many caves they found white powder everywhere, and jars of it in an abandoned village nearby.

Any ideas as to what this might be? Sugar, salt, flour?

[SunkenCiv]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/677983/posts