Bamiyan

High up in the Hindu Kush is a valley formed at the conflagration of five rivers.  In the center of the valley is the modest town of Bamiyan, provincial capital of the Hazara-dominated province by the same name.  The town was mostly leveled by the Taliban during their efforts to exterminate Shi'ites from the country, and the bazaar has been rebuilt a few kilometers from its historic location.   The town sits at the base of massive limestone cliffs that are pocketed with fresco-covered caves as well as the famous Buddha niches, once harboring the largest Buddhas in the world.  Tragically, these were destroyed in 2001 by the Taliban, leaving behind the still very impressive niches and caves.  It is still possible climb a series of staircases inside the cliff wall that lead from cave to cave until reaching the very top of the 180 meter high niche from which there are beautiful views of the Bamiyan valley.

The Bamian valley, Afghanistan, showing the ancient caves of the Kushan Dynasty, the main town, located in central Afghanistan. It lies northwest of Kabul, the nation's capital, in the Bamian valley at an elevation of 2,590 meters. The tourist traffic has prompted the building of a tourist centre and a government hotel in the town. Population (1988 est.) 8,700.
Bamian is first mentioned in 5th Century A.D. Chinese sources and was visited by the Chinese travelers Fa-hsien around 400 A.D. and Hsüan-tsang in 630 A.D.; it was by that time a centre of commerce and of the Buddhist religion. Two great figures of Buddha there date from this period; the larger is 53 m high and the smaller is 120 feet. These statues are carved from the living rock and are finished with fine plaster. When Hsüan-tsang saw the figures, they were decorated with gold and fine jewels. The two Buddha figures, together with numerous ancient man-made caves in the cliffs north of the town, have made Bamian a major Afghan archaeological site. The caves are of various forms, and the interiors of many bear traces of fine fresco painting that links them with contemporary caves in Sinkiang, China. The modern town lies below the caves. The town was ruled in the 7th century by princes, but was subject to the Western Turks. The rulers first accepted Islam in the 8th century. The Saffarid ruler captured Bamian in 871; after changing hands several times, it was destroyed and its inhabitants exterminated in 1221 by the Mongol invader Genghis Khan. Since that time it has never regained its former glory. In 1840 Bamian was the scene of fighting in the First Anglo-Afghan War.

Killing and Arresting of Civilians in Bamyan

Introduction:

Bamyan located in the central highland of Afghanistan called Hazarajat, is populated mostly by Hazaras. Bamyan city was the stronghold of Hizb-Wahdat up to September 1998. On 13 September Hizb-Wahdat forces defeated by the Taliban after losing Mazar-e Sharif city. It was reported the Hizb Wahdat left 30 Taliban prisoners who were held in Bamyan prison while leaving the city.

During its rule over Hazarajat particularly Bamyan , Hizb-e-Wahdat failed to maintain law and order properly. Their behavior towards Tajiks living in Bamyan center, Kohmard and Saighan district was not fair as hundreds of Tajiks preferred to leave Bamyan center during  1996 and 1997.

 Mass Killing during the Military Operation of Taliban:

The Taliban first time entered Bamyan city 13th September, 1998 after short fighting on Aghrubut pass. On 15-17 September the Taliban launched search in Bamyan villages to find out suspect people. During their search they arrested and killed any male members of Hazara above thirteen. Arrested people were taken to desert and then assassinated. Sar Asyabb, Haider Abad and Syed Abad villages were among the villages, which suffered more.

 Some people were slaughtered herd and some bodies were cut to pieces. Houses were burnt or destroyred.

I was reported that dead bodies were scattered everywhere. Five bodies were found in Azhdar, three were behind guardroom of Bamyan airport and several bodies were found among trees behind new Bazar. Many people were killed from displaced families who were living around Buddha statues but following the capture of city they went to nearby villages.

Number of killed people per village during the Taliban search between 15th to 17th September 1998, as known by Cooperation Centre of Afghanistan ( CCA ) reporter is as follow:

It was on the second day of the Taliban presence in Bamyan, that two groups of non-Afghan Talibs based in Iranian Consulate building and Bamyan Laycee (High School) targeted the small Buddha by Tank and BM 40 Artillery. These shelling caused some damages in the lower part of its body. Then climbing the statue, they dug its head, filled it with explosive stuff and set it off. The explosion defaced small Buddha and created some cracks in its body.

Looting and Confiscation: 

230 Trucks ( Kamazand ten wheelers Trucks) were taken by different groups of the Taliban. The Taliban promised to return looted trucks but so far only two trucks have been given back to the owners. There were also reports of looting of the peoples household furniture and public properties.

Suspension as Preventive Measures:(March 1999)

Harassment's of civilians continued under the Taliban rule, which broaden the gap between the people and the Talib.

When the snow began to melt Hizb-e-Wahdat forces returning from their mountainous refuge, capture Yakaulang district. Taliban became suspicious about the affiliation of Bamyan people with the opposition forces. So they took around 550 people as hostages and transferred them to different prisons in Parwan, Kabul and Kandahar city. Among the arrested people were members of council, which was found by the Taliban, namely: Sayed Adil Kazmi, Paykar from Fatmasti, Natiqi from Kushkak, Shaikh Emami from Surmara and Shaikh Zaki from Kalu.

On 28 of March following an uprising the Taliban forces leaded by Mulla Abdul Wahid Ghourbandi destroyed and burnt the villages located  on the road between Sheebar and Bamyan city including Shashpul, Ahangraan.

They also burnt Surkh Qool and other villages located in Kalu valley. People living in these villages were forcibly evacuated. Two Takya Khanas (Mosques) in Sar Asyab and Gurvana villages were also burnt.

 Atrocities during the second military operation of the Taliban May 9th and onward

The fall of Bamyan to the opposition considered a big set back to the Taliban. Therefore the Taliban massed four thousand  troops for recapturing of Bamyan. The operation was leaded by high ranking commanders of Taliban including Maulavi Abdul Kabir Deputy to the acting Shura. Mulla brother Akhund, head of the East-West zone , Mulla Fazal Akhund, chief of military corps and Mulla Abdul Wahid, Ghourbandi - a frontline commander.

The Taliban retook the Bamyan on 9th of May 1999. Entering Bamyan city the killed everyone they saw. The number of killed people  is not known so far has been quest to be hundreds. Most of the population evacuated the city and took refugee in the mountain sides. They are facing seriously with hunger, weather in mountainous areas is cold and the land is still snow full. It was reported that a group of 150 people including man, woman and children have been taken as captives by the Taliban from Bersona village and have been transferred to Parwan province.

Yakawlang was also evacuated by the people for the fear of being killed or arrested by the Taliban. A few families could manage to reach Ghazni while some other have gone to Panjab or Behsoo districts.