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70-year-old woman keeps security in Helmand villages
by Zainullah Stanikzai on 8 March, 2011 - 16:10
LASHKARGAH (PAN): A 70-year-old woman, who fought the Soviets during the decade-long jihad, is now providing security for villages in Marja district of southern Helmand province.
Abido, who also goes by the name Mujahida Hajanei (woman who took part in the jihad), is short in height, dresses in men’s clothes but wears a black shawl with a yellow hat.
In an exclusive interview with Pajhwok Afghan News, Abido said that during the invasion of the Red Army she was a commander with dozens of fighters.
“Initially, my husband and I were part of the jihad as ordinary mujahid, but he died very early on in the struggle.”
After her husband’s death, Abido said she commanded 200 fighters and defended their area.
“I have used all kinds of weapons and took part in dozens of clashes with the Soviets,” she said.
Abido said they received their weapons from Peshawar, in Pakistan.
“I was a holy warrior. I had no links with any group, my aim was to defeat the enemy and liberate our people,” she said.
“I took part in the jihad because of my own feelings against the invaders,” she said.
According to Abido, after the Soviets left Afghanistan she surrendered her weapons to her commanders and lived a normal life with her four sons and five daughters.
“I hate weapons now. With the cooperation of hundreds of youth in the area, I defend and keep the security in more than 10 villages,” she said.
Abido said she sold her land and lives in an old house in poverty.
“My sons work in the farms and I myself have a grocery shop in the village,” Abido said.
While Abido claims to have shunned weapons, Sher Mohammad, who lives in the area, said dozens of young men who work for her were part of a tribal militia armed by the government.
Wakil Khan, who lives in the area, said Abido was a very powerful woman, and that when she made a decision, no one was able to disagree or disobey.
70-year-old woman keeps security in Helmand villages | Pajhwok Afghan News
by Zainullah Stanikzai on 8 March, 2011 - 16:10
LASHKARGAH (PAN): A 70-year-old woman, who fought the Soviets during the decade-long jihad, is now providing security for villages in Marja district of southern Helmand province.
Abido, who also goes by the name Mujahida Hajanei (woman who took part in the jihad), is short in height, dresses in men’s clothes but wears a black shawl with a yellow hat.
In an exclusive interview with Pajhwok Afghan News, Abido said that during the invasion of the Red Army she was a commander with dozens of fighters.
“Initially, my husband and I were part of the jihad as ordinary mujahid, but he died very early on in the struggle.”
After her husband’s death, Abido said she commanded 200 fighters and defended their area.
“I have used all kinds of weapons and took part in dozens of clashes with the Soviets,” she said.
Abido said they received their weapons from Peshawar, in Pakistan.
“I was a holy warrior. I had no links with any group, my aim was to defeat the enemy and liberate our people,” she said.
“I took part in the jihad because of my own feelings against the invaders,” she said.
According to Abido, after the Soviets left Afghanistan she surrendered her weapons to her commanders and lived a normal life with her four sons and five daughters.
“I hate weapons now. With the cooperation of hundreds of youth in the area, I defend and keep the security in more than 10 villages,” she said.
Abido said she sold her land and lives in an old house in poverty.
“My sons work in the farms and I myself have a grocery shop in the village,” Abido said.
While Abido claims to have shunned weapons, Sher Mohammad, who lives in the area, said dozens of young men who work for her were part of a tribal militia armed by the government.
Wakil Khan, who lives in the area, said Abido was a very powerful woman, and that when she made a decision, no one was able to disagree or disobey.
70-year-old woman keeps security in Helmand villages | Pajhwok Afghan News
Well we all know many Afghan women who made our history to whom we are today, perhaps we shell thank our past mothers as well as her as she is still alive and as well as other Hajanei warriors.
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