Jalalabad

 

Lat = 34 degrees, 25.5 minutes North

Long = 70 degrees, 28.6 minutes East

 

Saturday 19th March 1988

 

Ali Hussein woke bright and early after good night’s sleep; he washed and made his way down to breakfast.

Mozafari and Hassan were already eating breakfast.

Hussein joined them, a waiter approached and Hussein ordered his meal.

“Hope you have rested well,” remarked Mozafari.

“The accommodation is acceptable,” replied Hussein.

“The warlord we are dealing with is one we have not done business with before,” Mozafari said, he continued, “because of the size of this shipment, he is the only one we can deal with.”

“What’s his name,” replied Hussein.

“His name is Abu Qadir, one of southern Afghanistan’s most important warlords he has a walled tribal compound ten miles outside Jalalabad, that’s where we will be meeting him.”

“As soon as I have finished my breakfast, I will secure us some transport, I will collect you this afternoon at one thirty,” Hussain replied.

Max woke after a peaceful nights sleep, it was already mid morning, he quickly dressed and went into the main living area which was deserted, he went into the kitchen and brewed a coffee and sat down on a stool in the kitchen, ten minute’s later Sami Ramadini came into the house.

“Kettles still hot,” Max said.

Sami made himself a hot drink and sat down by Max.

“I have made some enquiries, Max.” “The man Ali Hussein is at the Springhar hotel in town, along with two Arabs, he has been about town this morning renting transport.”

“That’s excellent work Sami; do we know what he is up to?”

“The word on the streets is he and his two Arab friends are buying a large shipment of opium from the warlord Abu Qadir,” replied Sami.

“Where does Qadir live?”

“He has a large compound ten miles south of here,” replied Sami.

“Can you get me some transport Sami?”

“Yes, but Max you’re not going to follow them to Qadir’s place on your own.”

“That’s the idea Sami.”

Sami looked at Max in bewilderment. “Max the country side is completely lawless and afflicted by roving bands of communists, Mujahidin, smugglers and heroin traders.”

Max grinned. “Sounds like I should fit in just nicely,”

“Is it that important that you risk your life,” Sami said.

Max’s face took on a serious look. “The world’s future could depend on it, Sami.”

“In that case I’ll be your driver, I know the way, and I am a familiar site in these parts.”

“Look Sami there’s no need to get involved, just point me in the right direction, I’ll be all right.”

“No Max; I insist I come, remember I am a trained soldier albiet a medic, however I am fully conversant in military hardware as well as surveillance.”

“Okay Sami, your help will be appreciated.”

“Thanks Max, I’ll go and see if I can find out when they are leaving.”

Ali Hussein had been able to get hold of six long wheel based land rovers, after a bit of bartering with a local dealer of military hardware, he drove out to the camp where his men were waiting, he collared five of them and returned back to town to collect the five remaining vehicles returning back to the camp.

“We are leaving here at fourteen hundred hours this afternoon after I have collected our sponsors, we are going to a place we have not been to before, and we will be dealing with one of the Warlords of this area, you all know what to do, any questions?”

“One other item, I have been tasked with killing the Arab Bakhat Hassan, do not concern yourselves with this matter, right check equipment and check these vehicles over.”

“The meeting is this afternoon,” Sami said.

“Nothing about the time,” Max replied.

“No, however the two Arab’s are still at the hotel,” replied Sami.

“Okay it’s twelve thirty seven Sami, I suggest we go and stake out the hotel.”

“Give me a few minutes Max to get my weapon, the vehicle is outside and all necessary supplies are on board.”

Ten minutes later Max and Sami were parked across the square from the Hotel, at one thirty a Landrover arrived and parked outside the Hotel, Hussein climbed out and walked into the Hotel entrance.

“That’s Hussein,” Max remarked.

A few minutes later Hussein reappeared, accompanied by two Arab males, they climbed into the land rover and drove off out of the square.

Max and Sami followed, with Sami driving, they followed discreetly holding a distance back out of site when Hussein pulled over at the ruins.

Within a few minutes five more 4X4 vehicles appeared and joined Hussein, heading of down the road.

“How long will it take to get to Qadir’s place Sami?”

“At this rate about fifty minutes.”

“What’s the plan when we get their Max?”

“We observe; how heavily this place is defended.”

“Let’s put it this way Max, if I was a betting man I would not give us any odds at all.”

“Just as well I am not a betting man,” Max replied.

“You’re not seriously thinking of risking going into Qadir’s place after Hussein are you Max?”

“No Sami, I might have been born at night, but it wasn’t last night.”

Sami sighed, “Thank Allah for small mercies,” he responded

“There will time enough to speak with Hussein, when they get back in town,” Max commented.

Hussein and his convoy arrived at the gate to the compound, the gates opened and armed guards beckoned them in. They parked in the square type courtyard, and were told to wait in their vehicles.

Whilst waiting Hussein looked around, there were a number of weapons trained on his group, and the gate had been closed and secured, he hoped everything would go smoothly, as there was no getting out of here alive, if it didn’t.

A large man approached them with a big smile on his face. “I am Qadir, welcome to my home.”

Qadir was well over six feet tall, in his mid-forties and well built. He had a goatee style beard and was dressed in an expensive looking Armani suit.

“Come gentlemen; let’s have a drink before we settle our business.”

Mozafari and Hassan climbed out of the vehicle.

“Would it be in order for our man Hussein to join us,” Mozafari said.

“If he leaves his weapons here, he can come,” replied Qadir.

Hussein complied and followed them into the building. “I hope you like Tea,” Qadir said.

A young nubile girl entered the room with a silver tray, containing a Silver Tea pot and cups.

“Thank you Sajida, that will be all,” She bowed and left the room. Qadir invited them to help themselves.

They settled down on the expensive seating.

“Are you happy with the price, you have been quoted,” Qadir asked.

“Most certainly,” replied Mozafari.

“Come,” Qadir beckoned, they walked over to the balcony, and looked down into the square.

“My men are already loading your vehicles with the opium,” said Qadir.

They returned to their seats, both Mozafari and Hassan had each brought in with them a small suitcase.

“Your money,” Mozafari said.

Qadir picked up and rang a small bell, almost immediately a man appeared.

“Ahmed will you please check the money in the cases.”

He picked them up and walked away. Mozafari looked at Hussein, “stay with him,” Hussein then looked at Qadir who nodded “Go with him.”

Max and Sami had found a secluded spot, overlooking Qadir’s compound. “There loading the vehicles up,” Max commented.

“Yes and that poison will find its way onto the streets of the west,” replied Sami.

“Don’t be getting any ideas Sami; if we fail the world will have a bigger and more deadly issue to deal with.”

“Yea your right Max, it still sucks.”

Two hours later the convoy left Qadir’s compound.

The convoy stopped at the ruins, “Secure this place the word will be out, our transport out of here is at 08:00hrs. In the morning no one sleeps tonight.”

Hussein jumped back into the 4X4 and drove back into town with Mozafari and Hassan.

One mile down the road he pulled of the main road and stopped the vehicle.

Mozafari looked at Hussein with a quizzical look. “What’s wrong?”

“I think we are being followed,” replied Hussein. “Oh No,” exclaimed Hassan.

“Leave this to me,” Hussein replied.

“What do you want us to do,” said Mozafari.

From the back of the vehicle he pulled out two hands guns. “Here, take these.” Both men took the weapons.

“Right Mozafari you get over there behind those rocks on the right and be prepared to cover me. Hassan you come with me, back to the road. “Why can’t I cover you, I am not used to this type of situation.”

Hussein looked him in the eye and sternly said.

“That’s why you’re coming with me, so I can protect you.”

“Go with him Hassan,” said Mozafari.

As they neared the road Hussein said, “Stay here and use this cleft in the rocks as cover.”

Hassan looked alarmed.” What are you going to do?”

Get control of yourself.” I’m going to get a better look.”

Hussein walked forward and was immediately enveloped in the darkness.

He had noticed this place the previous day and when he reconnoitered it, had discovered a second entrance, Which came in just behind the cleft where Hassan was now?

He quickly rounded the second path and crept up to where Hassan was waiting and could see Hassan’s outline, He drew his dagger and silently approached Hassan.

Hussein reached around with his left hand smothering Hassan’s mouth, he pulled the head back quickly exposing the neck area, and swiftly with expertise drew the dagger blade across Hassan’s throat exerting pressure backwards, the dagger entered the flesh of Hassan’s neck and penetrated down to the cartilage and severed the jugular vein and windpipe.

Hassan momentarily resisted, however Husseins grip was strong, blood spurt profusely from the wound within; along with the sound of air sucking out from the open wind pipe, seconds Hassan went limp at the knees, Hussein released his grip and Hassan’s body fell to the ground.

Hussein wiped the dagger on Hassan’s clothing, and walked back to where Mozafari had been waiting.

“You can come out know Mozafari.”

“Where’s Hassan?”

“We will be one light on the return journey,” replied Hussein.

Mozafari was taken aback “You have killed him.”“

Hussein looked at him callously. “That’s what was required, was it not?”

Fear ran down his spine. “Yes! Yes.”

“Good, now get one of those shovels off the vehicle and start digging a grave, I’ll get his body.”

Fifty minutes later Hussein was back at the hotel having a hot shower.

Max and Sami and seen Hussein’s detour and had held well back, Max had kept watch on the entrance of the turn of with night vision glasses.

Thirty minutes later Hussein’s vehicle reappeared, Max instantly noticed that they were one occupant missing.

Sami drove down to and turned into the side road, as they neared the bottom they noticed the ground had been disturbed. “The bastards have killed one of their own,” said Sami.

“Right nothing we can do here, it’s time I got hold of Hussein,” replied Max.