- Aug 6, 2012
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Brave men, choosing to fight until the end for their families and women rather than capitulate to extremists.
I salute every one of them,
www.dailymail.co.uk
Afghanistan's vice president and the son of a dead military commander are rallying anti-taliban forces in the last stronghold less than 100 miles from Kabul.
Vice President Amrullah Saleh and Ahmad Massoud, the son of his former mentor and famed anti-Taliban fighter Ahmed Shah Massoud, are putting together a guerilla movement in the Panjshir Valley - the only region not controlled by the Taliban.
It comes after the Taliban swept to power with a lightning conquest of Afghanistan culminating on Sunday when the group overran the capital Kabul, sparking widespread panic as thousands tried to flee.
Saleh said on Tuesday he was in Afghanistan and the 'legitimate caretaker president' after President Ashraf Ghani fled the country as it emerged he was massing troops and planning a counter offensive against the Taliban.
Footage that emerged on Tuesday showed Massoud, accompanied by a heavily armed entourage, boarding an Afghan air force Mi-17, a Soviet designed military helicopter.
At least 15 people boarded the flight and were seen helping each other climb on to the military helicopter, thought to be taking off from within the Panjshir region.
Several of the group sported military uniforms, while others were seen in pakols - traditional round-topped woolen hats favoured by Ahmad Shah Massoud.
I salute every one of them,
Afghan vice president rally anti-Taliban forces in last stronghold
Amrullah Saleh and Ahmad Massoud are rallying troops to launch a counter offensive from the Panjshir valley - the only region not under Taliban control. It has never been captured by the group.
Still fighting on: Afghan vice president and the son of a dead legendary military commander rally anti-Taliban forces in last stronghold less than 100 miles from Kabul
- Amrullah Saleh has said he will not surrender to the Taliban, vowed to fight back
- Rallying troops with son of dead anti-Taliban commander Ahmad Shah Massoud
- The pair reported to have met in Panjshir on Monday to plan a counter offensive
- Panjshir is the only area not under the Taliban and has never fallen to the group
Afghanistan's vice president and the son of a dead military commander are rallying anti-taliban forces in the last stronghold less than 100 miles from Kabul.
Vice President Amrullah Saleh and Ahmad Massoud, the son of his former mentor and famed anti-Taliban fighter Ahmed Shah Massoud, are putting together a guerilla movement in the Panjshir Valley - the only region not controlled by the Taliban.
It comes after the Taliban swept to power with a lightning conquest of Afghanistan culminating on Sunday when the group overran the capital Kabul, sparking widespread panic as thousands tried to flee.
Saleh said on Tuesday he was in Afghanistan and the 'legitimate caretaker president' after President Ashraf Ghani fled the country as it emerged he was massing troops and planning a counter offensive against the Taliban.
Footage that emerged on Tuesday showed Massoud, accompanied by a heavily armed entourage, boarding an Afghan air force Mi-17, a Soviet designed military helicopter.
At least 15 people boarded the flight and were seen helping each other climb on to the military helicopter, thought to be taking off from within the Panjshir region.
Several of the group sported military uniforms, while others were seen in pakols - traditional round-topped woolen hats favoured by Ahmad Shah Massoud.
