The original Taliban militia had substantial conventional military muscle and was in control of 95% territory in Afghanistan prior to war with the US.
Watch this video to get an idea:
[8:55 and on-wards]
US invaded Afghanistan in 2001 and toppled Taliban-led regime in a span of 2 months, killing thousands of Taliban and Al-Qaeda Network combatants in the process. Thousands more were taken as captives but slaughtered in air-tight containers and/or in prisons separately. During this phase of war, US dispatched squads of Army Rangers to Afghanistan (notably Operational Detachments Alpha 594 and Alpha 595) to mobilize Northern Alliance and use it to consolidate gains on the ground.
Opening salvo (2001):
Survivors of Taliban-led regime and Al-Qaeda Network sought refuge in the caves of Tora Bora in 2002 but were routed from this region in a span of 3 weeks (i.e. Operation Anaconda). Conversely, US established a new government in Afghanistan in the same year to manage its affairs.
Unfortunately, Bush administration [allowed] some militants to slip into Pakistan from Tora Bora, ignoring request of an American commander to commit 700 Army Rangers to war-effort in Tora Bora and eliminate all militants. Equally shocking was the revelation that Osama Bin Laden was among the militants who slipped into Pakistan. This development frustrated many observers and offended then COAS Pervez Musharraf but what could anybody do?
Osama and his companions were nabbed and/or assassinated in Pakistan over the course of years (2003 - 2011).
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This film depicts the events concerning the assignment of Operational Detachment Alpha 595.
