Today we did a joint patrol with MOT E to the area of Baghlan-e Jadid. We visited Ta-i-Khunak and two other villages. Our team was reinforced by the Swedish TPT (tactical psyops team), but we were only a small part of the patrol: it was led by NDS (national directorate of security), and consisted of troops from both ANP (Afghan national police) and ANA (Afghan national army). The trip to Ta-i-Khunak takes about 3 hours, and 3 more to get back, so we left early. The distance is only about 70 to 80 km, but the road is slow, and at some points there is no road at all. The road climbs to about 1700 metres above sea level from Aybak, which is at 1000 metres altitude, and then descends steeply down again into the village. The weather was warm and fine at first, but later in the afternoon there were some showers, which made the roads muddy and slippery. At dusk the wind was freezing. On the way back one ANA vehicle broke down and had to be towed. Another drove into the ditch and we winched it up. Enough said, pictures speak louder than words.
Soviet steel. View from the back yard of the ANA garrison, where we started our joint patrol.
At 2650 metres above sea level.
Pistachios.
Ta-i-Khunak village, with Bay Saqal village in the background.
There wasn't much to eat.
The patrol commander and our team leader.
ANA soldiers having their lunch break. Naan, lamb meat, red onion and chai.
Oops.
View over Manqutan village.
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