Second Battle of Zhawar

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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, Miramshah)[1] Result DRA-Soviet government victory[1][2][3] 37th Commando Brigade promptly withdraw after seizing Zhawar Base and dispersing bombs and mines[1] Jalaluddin Haqqani wounded[4] Failure to block Miranshah road[1] Captured DRA officers executed[2] Siege of Khost continues[5]
Belligerents
Afghanistan  Soviet Union	Mujahideen Pakistan[citation needed]
Commanders and leaders
Nabi Azimi (replaced) Qalander Shah  Valentin Varennikov	Jalaluddin Haqqani  (WIA) Unknown
Units involved
Afghan Commando Forces 37th Commando Brigade 38th Commando Brigade   466th Commando Battalion 666th Commando Battalion KhAD-e-Nezami 203rd Special Purpose Battalion Afghan Army 7th Infantry Division 8th Infantry Division 11th Infantry Division 18th Infantry Division 24th Infantry Division 25th Infantry Division 21st Mechanised Infantry Brigade 2nd Border Brigade 22nd Guards Regiment Afghan Air Force 322nd Fighter Aviation Regiment	Haqqani Network Kochi nomad volunteers Gorbez mujahideen Arab Volunteers Pakistani Army SSG
Strength
12,000	700–800 mujahideen
Casualties and losses
Significant Casualties[2] Unknown killed and injured 530 captured (78 executed) 24 helicopters destroyed	281 killed 363 wounded[6]

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.