Kunar Province - Military Activity

Military Activity

Alexander The Great passed through Kunar on his trek from Ancient Greece to India. He sent part of his troops to avoid the Khyber Pass over the Hindu Kush mountains and instead head up the Kunar river to other passes found at higher altitudes, deeper into the mountains to the North. These passes go through what today is the border between Pakistan and Afghanistan. Some ancient legends say that his troops are the source of some unusual tribes in the Nuristani region but others believe these to be only legends.

During the 19th century British military expeditions, the 20th century Soviet occupation, and the 21st century conflicts involving U.S., Afghan and NATO forces, Kunar has been a favoured spot of insurgent groups. Its impenetrable terrain, cave networks and border with the semi-autonomous Pakistani North-West Frontier Province provides significant advantages for unconventional warfare and militant groups. The province is informally known as "Enemy Central" and "Indian Country" by American and western armed forces serving in Afghanistan. Between January 2006 and March 2010 more than 65% of all insurgent incidents in the country occurred in Kunar.

Like many of the mountainous eastern provinces of Afghanistan, the groups involved in armed conflict vary greatly in strength and purpose. Native Taliban forces mingle with foreign Al-Qaeda fighters, while mujahadeen militias, such as Gulbuddin Hekmatyar's Hezb-e-Islami Gulbuddin, continue to operate as they did in the chaotic post-Soviet years. Another strong militia in the region is the Hezbi Islami faction of the late Mulavi Younas Khalis, who had his headquarters in neighbouring Nurestan Province.

Compounding the problems of the province is an extensive cross-border trade in contraband which includes lumber, semi-precious stones and other natural resources. This smuggling activity is often organized along tribal lines, and has led to intense deforestation in some areas. The rugged border area has many illegal and hidden crossing points making Kunar a high traffic route for illegal arms transporting, insurgent movement as well as other smuggling activities as mentioned above.

The province, relatively small compared to others, has among the highest concentration of both US and Afghan security forces. Special Operations Forces operate extensively throughout the area.

As of September 2011 the United States has awarded six Medals of Honor for action in Afghanistan. Four of these have been awarded for separate actions in Kunar province. Members of I Corps Artillery (deactivated and is now 65th Fires Brigade) of the Utah National Guard served as Embedded Tactical Trainers (ETTs) while embedded with the Afghan National Army and U.S. Army's 10th Mountain Division throughout Kunar Province. During this time, over 51% of the entire country's Troops In Contact engagements (TICs) took place in Kunar Province. The 1-14th Agriculture Development Team from the Illinois Army National Guard began working in Kunar in June 2011. ADTs from the California and Iowa National Guard have previously served in the province.