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Second Battle of Zhawar
Part of the Soviet–Afghan War
Date
February 28 – April 19, 1986
Location
Zhawar, Khost Province, Afghanistan (spillover into Pakistan)
Result
DRA-Soviet victory
Belligerents
Afghanistan Soviet Union
Mujahideen Supported by: Pakistan
Commanders and leaders
Nabi Azimi (replaced) Qalander Shah Valentin Varennikov
The Second Battle of Zhawar was a significant engagement that took place during the Soviet-Afghan War. It pitted Afghan Army units, supported by the Soviet Union, against mujahideen faction led by Jalaluddin Haqqani. The objective of the battle was to destroy the mujahideen's logistical base located in Zhawar, just three kilometers from the Durand Line.
The initial offensive, known as the first battle of Zhawar, and was launched in September 1985. DRA divisions, with air support from the Soviet Union, initiated the attack while major mujahideen commanders were absent, including Haqqani who was on pilgrimage to Mecca. The DRA forces advanced from Khost and successfully captured the village of Bori, northeast of Zhawar. However, they encountered fierce resistance and were forced to retreat.
The main attack began on September 4 and initially achieved success, with the capture of the village of Lezhi and the killing of a mujahideen commander. However, the offensive was halted at the heavily fortified Manay Kandow pass, where the mujahideen put up a strong defense. After ten days of relentless resistance, the mujahideen were compelled to withdraw due to heavy airstrikes by Soviet aircraft. This allowed the DRA forces to cross the pass and capture the strategic Tor Kamar position, enabling them to shell the mujahideen base with artillery.
During a subsequent counter-attack led by the mujahideen, the DRA forces were caught off guard by the presence of two T-55 tanks. Sustaining heavy losses, the DRA troops fell back and attempted to renew the assault but were met with reinforcements from Pakistan. The mujahideen successfully repelled further attacks, leading to the eventual withdrawal of the DRA units after 42 days of intense fighting. This victory significantly bolstered the morale of the mujahideen forces.
^281 killed and 363 injured are losses reported by the mujahideen. Gregory Feifer reports that the mujahideen suffered one thousand casualties in this battle. See The Great Gamble: The Soviet War in Afghanistan, by Gregory Feifer, HarperCollins, 2009. ISBN 978-0-06-173557-8
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Global Information
Afghanistan
Soviet Union
Mujahideen
Pakistan
