Chapter Thirty-Six: The Need for Poison Stingers

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  Peshawar is the capital of Pakistan's North-West Frontier Province. It is also known as "Bala Hissar". It lies on the western bank of the Bara River, a branch of the Kabul River, east of the Khyber Pass. The city has a special geographical location and since ancient times it has been a trade route between Central Asia and South Asia.

  "Baisheva" in ancient Sanskrit means "city of a hundred flowers", it is a beautiful city. Unfortunately, now the city has lost its original appearance.

  After the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, countless Afghan refugees poured into Pakistan through the border. As the nearest city, Peshawar was filled with Afghan refugees. At that time, Pakistan opened its arms to accommodate all the refugees, and it also became a stronghold for resisting the Soviet invasion.

  These refugees have lost their homes and harbor deep hatred for the Soviet Union. Select some from among them, give them training, and they will become steadfast fighters. The Americans are very willing to do this. Now, the main task of the CIA is in Peshawar.

  At the same time, some Afghan politicians are discussing here how to counterattack and defeat the Soviets.

  When Muhammad drove through the rugged mountain road and returned to Peshawar, it was already late at night. Sitting in a military jeep, Muhammad returned to the military department in Peshawar, originally planning to doze off on a chair outside and report after dawn.

  However, when Muhammad arrived at the military department, the chief of staff was already waiting for him. When Muhammad reported his identity to the sentry outside, the chief of staff had already woken up.

  "Muhammad, welcome back. I'm Musa'af, the new Chief of Staff." Musa'af said to Muhammad: "This time we sent twenty instructors, you are the last one to return."

  Musharraf? Muhmmad looked at the new Chief of Staff of Peshawar Military Region, and always felt a little familiar, but couldn't think of it specifically.

  "A short while ago, the Soviets suffered a heavy blow. All twelve Hind helicopters at their base were destroyed." Musa said: "Mahmud, you did a great job."

  No wonder they were so enthusiastic about receiving themselves, it turned out that they knew their own merits! Muhammad said: "Chief of Staff, these are the achievements of the Afghan guerrillas, I just took them with me."

  "Muhammad, you are one of the most outstanding among all instructors." Musaaff said: "You have been promoted to First Lieutenant."

  Junior Warrant Officer? Muhammad couldn't help but smile wryly in his heart, the Pakistani soldier he had crossed over to was just an ordinary soldier.

  Before entering Afghanistan, he was only a sergeant major rank. Now, he was promoted directly to first lieutenant, which is just an instructor's title.

  "You will go to the Jalozai refugee camp, where you will help train qualified fighters," Musa Awad said. "This is what is needed against Soviet aggression and for Afghanistan."

  Will he go to the Jalozai refugee camp himself? Select fighters from there and train guerrilla members? No! Muhammad heard Musa's words, and instantly negated this task in his heart.

  "I'm not back to report, I'm back to ask for help," Mohammad said. "The Afghan guerrillas need me and I will continue to return to Afghanistan to fight alongside them. This time, I've come to request support with weapons."

  Musharraf had already taken out the letter of appointment from the table, and upon hearing Muhammad's words, he was stunned: "Muhammad, First Lieutenant, you are requesting to return to Afghanistan again?"

  Going to Afghanistan is extremely dangerous, facing death at any time, this is the war in Afghanistan, Pakistan is only forced, and now Pakistan does not have a clear need to cross-border combat, in the troops, although they are very hostile to the Soviets, but they do not want to go to Afghanistan to fight, after all, fighting will mean sacrifice.

  The Muhammad in front of him was actually willing to go back and fight again!

  "Chief of Staff, the Afghan guerrillas are not well-trained and their tactics are not high. If I don't go back, I'm afraid they will be slaughtered by the Soviets. The fighters trained in refugee camps are far inferior to those local guerrilla fighters who have already taken up arms." Muhammad said: "I want to fight with them until we drive out the Soviet invaders!"

  Musharraf's expression changed, he put down the appointment letter and said: "Muhammad, aren't you afraid of sacrifice?"

  "Fear." Muhammad said: "The Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan in order to gain a passage south and suppress our country. If the Soviet Union thoroughly controls Afghanistan, our country will never have peace. Now, helping Afghanistan is helping our country. As a warrior, I am determined to fight."

  This soldier is not an ordinary soldier, and his political accomplishments are also very profound. At a glance, he saw through the interests and relationships involved, and was very candid. No one is not afraid of death, such a soldier is very in line with Musharraf's temperament.

  "Now you are a lieutenant," Musharraf said: "I will ask Islamabad to give you the rank of lieutenant, tell me what kind of weapon do you need?"

  Facing such a brave warrior, Musa Af was very appreciative and promoted his military rank directly to junior lieutenant, skipping senior ensign. This was also a comfort, after all, he would become a martyr at any time.

  For this military rank, Muhhamad was not excited at all. He had already put his career in Afghanistan. He stared steadily at Musa Af and said: "Chief of Staff, I need Stinger portable air defense missiles and TOW anti-tank missiles."

  Upon hearing Muhammad's words, Musa Af was taken aback: "What? Toxic needle anti-aircraft missiles?"

  Musharraf had never heard of it, nor had any Pakistani military personnel. The Stinger missile had just entered service with the US military at that time.

  In 1971, the US Army selected Redeye II as the future HSSM, designated FIM-92. In March 1972, Redeye II was renamed Stinger. After a number of years of technical issues, all were resolved by 1976, and in 1978, General Dynamics (now Raytheon) was awarded the production contract.

  In the history of later generations, Afghan guerrillas did not acquire large quantities of this effective air defense missile until 86 years ago to deal with Soviet armed helicopters. Most of the losses of the Mil Mi-24 came from that time on.

  Now, Mohammad faces a huge threat from Soviet Union's Elk, he can't wait for this weapon any longer.

  The Americans are now very generous to Afghanistan, in order to fight the Soviet Union, all of which were gratuitous aid, whatever they wanted was given, until later generations, when the Americans entered Afghanistan, they found that the biggest threat they faced was the weapons they had provided to Afghanistan, this is a stark irony.

  "Yes, that's right, Chief of Staff, with these weapons, the Afghan guerrillas will finally have a chance to breathe, the Soviet helicopters are always hovering above our heads, we've been at a disadvantage all along." Muhammad said.

  "I will convey it to the US side," Musharraf said, "Muhmmad, this matter may need to be approved by the high-level of the US side, and we have to wait a few more days."

  Coming out of the military department, Muhammad was still thinking to himself that he had forgotten the history of poisonous thorns. Now it's too early, will the Americans agree? It's probably very difficult, in that case what can he take back with him? With empty hands, he must continue to fight hard.

  Americans must agree! Even if they write a letter to the President of the United States themselves! Muhamed made up his mind.

  The east showed a fish belly white, the sky had already brightened, and the streets of Basha were surging with people everywhere.

  Although there are no official statistics, at least 100,000 Afghan refugees have entered Peshawar. Although they were placed in refugee camps, only water and food are not enough.

  As the sky had just brightened, these refugees had already surged into the streets, hoping to find a job. Looking at those shabbily dressed men, Muhammad felt a pang of pain in his heart. Politicians waged war for their own interests, while the real victims were these ordinary civilians.

  They watched Muhammad walk by, not as if they were looking for work, but with longing eyes.

  Muhammad could only lower his head and didn't dare to look into the eyes of these people, hastily passing by. The barracks' reception office was still two blocks away, where he temporarily lived.

  Blue suspenders, a white cloak outside, a pair of tight-fitting jeans below, wearing high heels, completely Western attire. On top, under that long hair, deep-set eyes, high nose bridge, it's the face of a Central Asian girl, this is a genuine local.

  She carried a handbag, walking along the road, the handbag swaying back and forth, she walked somewhat hurriedly, to catch the early bus at the street corner bus station.

  As I walked past a group of Afghans, an Afghan man stood up and slowly followed me.

  The girl didn't notice, she was still running, and the bus was about to arrive.

  Her footsteps quickened, her high heels scraping against the ground with a "click-click" sound.

  Suddenly, her hand relaxed and her purse flew out of her hands. When she looked again, an Afghan man had snatched her bag and was running wildly.

  "Someone's snatching a purse!" The girl suddenly shouted loudly, she was very anxious, and then chased forward. Before running two steps, her foot slipped and her ankle twisted.

  Just as the person who grabbed the bag was about to disappear around the corner, a burly man blocked his way.