Chapter 123 Military Region Chief of Staff

  Sayed, a Pashtun, first established the Afghan Mujahideen Islamic Union and later merged with several other organizations to form an organization of the same name based in Peshawar, commanding the mujahideen fighters in Afghanistan.

  Although the alliance was initially a loose organization, Sayaaf's thoughts certainly didn't stop there. A qualified politician must have a long-term vision, and he had already been planning for the post-war situation.

  Nikolai Budin as the envoy of the alliance, went to contact those guerrilla troops, in fact it was a move by Sayapov to unify the leadership power of these guerrilla troops.

  Unfortunately, Nikubdin failed and fell into the Soviet plot, and in the end, he even made a success of that instructor named Mukhammad!

  Sayed listened to the murmurs of the people below, looked out at the tent outside, this is the largest refugee camp, many holy warriors, all were trained as fighters here and sent back to Afghanistan to fight.

  Now, the reputation of Muhammad's Free Army has also spread here, and many young men hope to join this free army.

  The reputation of the Afghan Freedom Army is getting bigger and bigger, while the Alliance has no color, and its power is getting smaller and smaller. Many guerrilla teams have gone to join the Freedom Army.

  "I say, let's just get rid of that Muhammad! He's a scourge!" another person shouted.

  "No way, he's a Pakistani instructor sent over here. If we take him out and Pakistan finds out, it'll cause strong dissatisfaction. We're completely dependent on Pakistan's support right now, we absolutely can't afford to offend them!" Another voice said.

  He is a Pakistani instructor! Upon hearing this voice, Sayaf suddenly patted the table: "There's a way!"

  "Bang!" A loud noise came from the table, and everyone in the room was stunned: "What's going on?"

  "I'll go see Musharraf right away!" Saeed said: "All the instructors, last year they were withdrawn from Afghanistan, only instructor Mohammad was left! I will ask them to return instructor Mohammad! Our guerrilla detachments have grown up, they don't need instructors anymore, Instructor Mohammad has been fighting in Afghanistan for so long, it's time for him to come back to Pakistan and enjoy a peaceful life."

  After finishing speaking, Sayyaf said to the person below: "Harris. You come with me, that instructor Muhammad, he went to your guerrilla team."

  After listening to what Sajaf said, everyone was stunned at first, and then applauded.

  Not bad! Mohammad is a Pakistani, having nothing to do with Afghanistan, just an instructor sent there. At that time, it was Sayyaf's request to the Peshawar Military Region, and the guerrilla force Mohammad went to belonged to Hekmatyar's organization.

  On the surface, this is reasonable. Pakistan should recall its instructors who were sent there, which is normal. At that time, only instructors were invited, not leaders.

  The cold wind outside is blowing strongly, it's autumn in '82. It has come a bit early.

  Facing the cold wind, Muhammad returned to Peshawar. Remembering that it had been a year since he last came back, Muhammad felt somewhat excited. More than a year had passed and he had finally achieved success. The guerrilla forces of various ethnic groups in northern Afghanistan had united. They formed the Afghan Liberation Army, joining together to strike at the Soviets. This was a good beginning, as the deep friendships forged on the battlefield could dissolve the hatred between tribes that had accumulated over many years.

  The military command is still in Peshawar city. When Muhammad reached the gate, he took out his ID card.

  The sentry saluted Muhhamad after checking his papers and said: "Welcome, Panjshir Lion."

  Is Pan Jie Xi a male lion? Muhammad was taken aback for a moment, is he talking about himself?

  Muhammad stepped forward with questions and walked into the military district headquarters, heading towards the familiar chief of staff's office.

  "Report." Muhammad shouted and after getting an agreement from inside, Muhammad pushed the door open.

  "Welcome back, Panjah Hissar Sher Khan." Musa Afridi stood up from his seat and said to Muhammad.

  Is Pan Jixing talking about himself? Muhammad rubbed his nose and said, "Report, Army Lieutenant Muhammad, here to report. After fighting in the mountains of Afghanistan for a year, please instruct."

  "Colonel Muhammad, your superiors are very satisfied with your combat performance in Afghanistan this year," Musharraf said. "This time you were called back to be commended."

  Decoration? Wait a minute, Colonel? Muhammad was taken aback: "Chief of Staff, you're mistaken, aren't you? I'm a junior lieutenant."

  Junior Lieutenant is followed by Lieutenant, Captain, Major, Lieutenant Colonel, and then Colonel, a full five ranks apart!

  How could I possibly be promoted from junior lieutenant to senior colonel? It's impossible, absolutely impossible.

  "Not bad, it's a colonel," Musharraf said: "In view of your bravery in the mountains of northern Afghanistan, your superiors have awarded you the rank of colonel. This time you were called back, this is the reward, and at the same time... appointed as the chief of staff of Peshawar Military Region, which is my current position, it will be yours soon."

  What's going on? The Chief of Staff of the White Sand Military Region? Muhamed's brain temporarily didn't react, what is this all about?

  "This is your promotion and commendation order," Musharraf said, pulling out a document.

  Muhammad took it over and opened it. Looking at the handwriting inside, he saw a dragon flying phoenix name at the end of the signature.

  Zia-ul-Haq, this name seems so familiar. Muhammad thought for a moment in his mind, wait, isn't this the name of the President of Pakistan?

  He was a hardline military officer who seized power in 1977 and became President of Pakistan. Although his presidency was illegitimate, he implemented correct economic policies, resulting in significant improvements to Pakistan's economy over the next few years, transforming it into South Asia's most affluent region and earning him popular support.

  "This is a commendation order signed by the President himself." Musharraf said, "In recent years, you are the first one. Now, the whole army is taking you as an example. You are the pride of our Pakistani soldiers!"

  Promotions in the regular army are very difficult, but on the battlefield it's different. With military achievements, promotions come easily. Someone like Mohammad, who unified all the guerrilla forces in northern Afghanistan to fight against the Soviet Union, is even more exceptional. President Zia-ul-Haq was extremely satisfied with Mohammad and promoted him to Colonel, assigning him to the Peshawar Military Region.

  A military region can have only one chief of staff, and now that I am the chief of staff, what about Musharraf?

  "And you, Chief of Staff?" Muhammad asked.

  "I will be the Corps Commander," Musharraf said. "Thanks to you, I have also been promoted once. The original commander has also been promoted and has gone back to Islamabad."

  Muhammad's mind gradually cleared up, and the doubts that had been flooding his brain just now became clearer.

  "What about the troops in the Afghan mountains waiting for my command? What will happen to them if I take over as chief of staff here?" Muhammad asked.

  If Muhammad were given a choice, the position of military zone chief of staff might be dazzling, but he still wanted to fight alongside those soldiers. Muhammad couldn't leave them behind.

  "Colonel Muhammad, you were originally sent as an instructor, now the people of the Islamic Union of Afghan Mujahideen have made a request to us to recall this instructor." Musa said: "From a procedural point of view, this is completely legitimate."

  So that's how it is! In an instant, Muhammad suddenly understood, it turned out those people were causing trouble!

  "Chief of Staff, the situation there is extremely chaotic. Now only I can handle those complex tribal issues." Muhhamad said: "If I go back to Peshawar, it will become a loose sand again."

  In the past, Muhammad may have had a good impression of that alliance, thinking they were heroes who saved Afghanistan. But now, Muhammad has thoroughly realized that those high-ranking officials in the alliance are just plotters and not even politicians.

  They saw themselves organizing a free army and were eager to bring this army back into their fold.

  This is absolutely unacceptable! It's not about being greedy for power, but rather not wanting to see the endless war in Afghanistan like in the past, and all Afghan people suffering.

  "In the war with India eleven years ago, one of my good brothers was killed on the battlefield," Musharraf said. "He had mentioned that he had a brother named Mohammad Kamran."

  Muhammad didn't know why Musa Af said that, but he knew the man was his own brother, who inherited all the memories. The bearded brother died on the battlefield against India.

  "At that time, I promised him to take care of his younger brother. Unfortunately, it wasn't until two years ago that I found him, and by then he had already been assigned as an instructor." Musa's words were very calm, as if he was talking about something that had nothing to do with him, but he could never forget how Muhammad-Kamran had pounced on him, lying on top of him, the shell exploding just a few meters away, Muhammad covered in blood, and if it wasn't for him, he would have been dead already.

  The previous promotion and this recall were both recommended by Musharraf, who made up his mind after meeting with the leaders of the alliance.

  "You have shed enough blood for Afghanistan, you have become a hero, Muhammad. You will rise high in the army of Pakistan." Musharraf said: "You already have enough capital, Muhammad. I promised your brother that I would take good care of you."