1 1th September, 2001
The twin towers came down in New York
And suddenly, the world's attention turned to Afghanistan
A country ravaged by war, for 23 years
With Osama bin Laden and the Taliban by their sides
the U S started bombing Afghanistan
The Taliban were a group of religious extremists
who had occupied Afghanistan with Military support from Pakistan
lt reported that Pakistani soldiers had also entered Afghanistan
to fight alongside the Taliban
After 9/1 1 , Pakistan deserted the Taliban
and the northern alliance Mujahiddeen, took over Kabul
A country that had been closed to the world for long six years
suddenly opened up!
Thousands of Journalists went in by any means possible
To capture this exciting time, in the history of Afghanistan
Among them were Suhel and Jai
So dude Are you enjoying being a war reporter?
Balls, l'm enjoying this!
lf only we'd listened to our parents
should've become a doctor or an engineer
But no we had to go and become journalists!
Why did you have to tell the boss
that we would get an interview with the Taliban or die trying
Now you'll die definitely!
Hey, how was l to know that our lives will really be at risk!
These guys carry guns like we carry mobile phones
One of them even had a rocket launcher, did you see?
Not even 3 days since we got into this Afghanistan
and here we are stuck in this mess
Who are you guys?
We want to go to Kabul!
Where are you from?
Ah lndia Hindustan Oh, Hindustan!
Amitabh Bachchan (lndian Superstar)
Amitabh Bachchan! Yes!
Aamir Khan Shahrukh Khan (lndian Actors)
Aamir Khan Shahrukh Khan correct
Dharmendra Jeetendra (lndian Actors)
Yes Dharmendra Jeetendra Does this guy only like men?
Yeah That's what l've heard about them
Kabul? Kabul?
Hello hello we need to go to Kabul
Hello bring the vehicle understand?
Let's go to Kabul
Doesn't this place have taxis?
Hotel Kabul
Looks like a 5 star
You're gonna get me killed one of these days
Why did you have to promise the boss
Stop repeating yourself!
Why not?
You be the hero if you must Why are you after my life?
And this bloody Khyber he's the one who got us stuck in this mess
What did l do?
The first day you met us you said you would take us to the Taliban
You guys went on and on about wanting to meet the Taliban
Now meet them
At it, again?
Come on Want to exercise?
Come Let's go l've contacted some Mujahideen
who have held some Pakistani Taliban
They've hidden these guys in the mountains C'mon
Will they let us interview them?
Of course! That's why they've been kept alive
for interviews in exchange of money
lf caught alive, a Talib is priceless these days
How much will they charge?
l was told 200 dollars
That's a bit too much, man!
But we do need the interview
Ok, what else will they do for 200 dollars?
l guess they might dance foryou on the mountain tops!
Let's go !
Do you think these guys will come?
They should be here anytime
But they have to be cautious
This stuff is risky!
No one should know they've got some Taliban prisoners
Are these the guys?
Doctor, l can't see a thing!
Khyber, ask them how much further?
What? Ask them how far is this place?
No They'll get angry
Screw them Why are you so scared? They won't shoot you for asking
Mujahid brother how far is it?
What happened?
Looks like the Taliban prisoners have run away
Our Taliban?
You mean the ones we paid for? Yes!
Will they refund our money?
l'll ask
Will they even come back?
Shit, this is real bad luck!
What the hell
Talib
There go 200 dollars
The camera Are you mad?
You asked them for a refund! Do you want us killed?
Why shouldn't l?
And You! Why didn't you take a shot?
At least we would have proof that we saw a Talib
What? You need to be alive to show the proof And you?
Why didn't you interview him? You should have asked him
Where are you running away, Mr Taliban?
Who would you like to shoot first?
Me or my mad friend who is shooting you?''
You have lost it! Refund! Refund!
What the hell is that?
The opening shot of our story Buzkashi
Buzkashi is being played first time in Kabul after 8 years
The Taliban had banned this sport
Why?
They said it's too violent!
Those Taliban guys were a riot
Come Let's get into the field and shoot
Be careful People also get killed in this
What? You get killed when you go to pee
you get killed when you go to play ?
What the hell can you do here?
Suhel, you stay right behind me
Through the camera l can't judge their distance from me
Just warn me, okay?
Come, l am there l am there!
Come on let's go overthere and shoot!
You want me killed! C'mon, lets go!
a
Suhel, that pack of horses is headed this way Be careful
Hey guys Watch out!
What the hell!
You want to kill me?
l told you guys to be careful! People die in this
l saw that Talib in the crowd
You are so shit scared that you are beginning to hallucinate!
You couldn't see the whole army of horses
and you saw that bloody Talib?
Jai Believe me l saw that man
Screw it Those horses could have killed me
l'm leaving this job
Oh lndian Cigarette! Yes
Can l have one please?
Thank you
Hey you Santa Claus taken my cigarette
now send me the kebabs fast
l hope everybody here doesn't do this
Why are you such a scrooge? lt's just a cigarette!
You know the problem l have only one carton of cigarettes
Any other brand hurts my throat
Do l look like a cigarette wending machine to him?
Khyber why do only women beg on the streets?
They don't have an option
Almost half the women are widows
The Taliban stopped all women from working
They were not allowed to leave home unless escorted by a male relative
lf a woman was spotted alone on the streets
they would beat her like an animal Bastards
That's why l hate them so much
Some of them are still hiding around
lf we catch them, we will beat them to death Scoundrels!
Can we please do an interview before you kill them? Thank you
General Musharraf has dubbed the recent public uprisings
as a conspiracy by radical groups
He said that most Pakistani political groups are unhappy
with his decision to help American in the war against terrorism
These groups have joined the Afghan refugees
to protest against the government
but their efforts have been unsuccessful
See how quickly the Pakistan government has dumped the Taliban
They created the Taliban
and now they say they will help the Americans in destroying the Taliban
Bloody liars they are killing their own people
ln Afghanistan's Kunduz area
more than 50 Taliban have been killed by the Northern Alliance Mujahidin
Down with the Taliban! Allah is great!
President Musharraf is unhappy about institutions like madrassas
and masjids being used for anti religious activites
ln the battle that's been going on forthree days
near Mazar e Sharif in Afghanistan
more than 200 Taliban have been killed
Hearthat?
God alone knows how many amongst them were our men
And the guys sitting in lslamabad are telling the world
that none of our men are in Afghanistan
And there, across the border
the Afghans are hunting them down like wild animals
And our government is doing nothing to protect them
The American dollar is worth much more than fellow countrymen
You have only 4 months of service left
Why botheryourself over politics?
We can do nothing about it
There! The bloody American Special Forces
have brought anothertruckload!
The bastards herd them like cattle
God knows how many of our men are in these Taliban
ls he asking us to fire?
Careful! Make sure you don't get him
Khyber, l completely agree with you
The Taliban did some really horrible things
but not respecting women is the worst
How can you not respect women ? Oh boy! What a hot babe
l bet she's coming this way!
What a smile!
You guys seem to be the centre of attraction whereveryou go
That was some great dodging you did on the field Thank you
Hi! l'm Jessica Beckham from Reuters
Suhel That's Jai Jai Khyber
We work for a news channel, back home in lndia
Really? That's cool Not much really left to cover now, is it?
l mean, Taliban regime collapsing
life coming to normal in the war torn Afghanistan
US government sending more troops usual stories aren't they?
l mean rookies do that kinda stuff don't they?
And l believe all this is anyway not half shocking or horrifying
as what went on here in the last five years
Please give her something to eat
or she won't stop speaking Sorry?
No he just wants to know, what will you have for dinner
Didn't realize we have a choice here
Kebabs for breakfast, Kebabs for Lunch, Kebabs for dinner!
And oh if you want a snack Kebabs again!
Kebab naan
So, have you guys done war before?
No this is ourfirst time we are rookies
So what do you think will make an interesting story to do in post 9/1 1 Kabul?
Well get Osama l guess
or if not Osama, then a chat with Mullah Omar
That will give your network some ratings
As far as l am concerned l'll be content
Over and done with this blessed place if
if l can get up close with a Taliban fugitive
But they've all disappeared, either dead, or in hiding Rubbish!
We found one the bloody guy almost got us killed at the Buzkashi
Kebabs for dinner
So, your name is Jessica Beckham
Nice name do you play football?
So where did you guys see this Taliban?
C'mon guys How does one get to these Taliban?
He's talking bullshit as usual
Don't take him seriously
lf you'll excuse us, we should really be leaving
We have an early morning shoot tomorrow Oh, really? Where?
Sufi singing at the mosque it's really fan nice
Thanks again for saving our lives Bye Bye
Man, can't we take her along?
You are always horny you see a white woman and get all excited!
Dude Aflower blooms in the desert and you ask what color it is?
At least we are seeing a woman
All the local stuff has been packed up
in Burkha by the bloody Taliban!
What does Horny mean?
One whose brain is not in his head but down below!
Why are you looking at me?
Why did you have to reveal all our plans to her?
Why? Are we taking an exam here?
Yes lt is an exam
lf we don't take back an exclusive story from here
you will spend the rest of your life shooting boring
press conferences of fat politicians
Jai ln life, you get just one shot at war reporting
We have got it Understand man!
Go away from here! 1 second
Superfootage man! These guys go into this weird trance
Yeah betterthan what the trance music we listen
Oh Shit!
Keep driving Don't stop the car
Take the cartowards the Pakistan border
lf anyone stops and inquires
tell them you're news reporters And l'm your guide
lf you make one wrong move, l will shoot you
l'm not scared of dying
and believe me, l'll kill all of you before l die
But we're only journalists Why are you taking us?
l don't need to repeat myself Do exactly what l say
lf you need the car, please take it Why do you need us?
Shut up and keep driving!
lt'll take us one full day to reach the border We don't have enough fuel
Stop cribbing you idiot and keep driving!
Hyder! You need to hurry up
Dirt in filter Take 5 minute
Hey guys! How rude!
What's a woman doing at the back of their car?
Please get it started soon, we must follow them
Look in front
a
You stay here
You go
Remember what l told you
lf l see anything suspicious l will kill these two Go Damn it!
Stop! Where are you headed?
Hello Do you Speak Hindi?
Hindi Yes Yes Oh god
We are journalists from lndia
We want to go towards the border Will you please lift the roadblock?
Yes Yes
Will you remove it? Yes Yes
You don't understand a word Do you?
Yes Yes
What's up, friend? Where have you been?
When are we going to Kabul next?
How've you been? Are you keeping well?
What the bloody hell is he doing? Who's that guy?
No, we've only met him once before
He's not a friend They kiss here for no rhyme or reason!
Why have you kept him waiting here?
God knows l kept nodding Yes Yes like they do in theirfilms
Shut up! Look before you start speaking to people
Where's yourfriend?
ls he in the car? Let's say hello to him
Why are they coming here? l told him l don't want trouble!
Everything will be fine Suhel will handle it
l think he just wants to say Hello
How are you? Are you keeping well?
That is our guide We need to make a move
Will you please remove the roadblock?
Hey! Lift the roadblock
Lift the roadblock and let these guys go! Thank you
Give me one cigarette
l don't want to give him my cigarettes
Tell him about yourthroat
Cigarette!
Thank you
Where is this cigarette from? lndia
lt's nice l know
You guys don't need to be scared! You only need to drop me to the border
But how can we ?
You are journalists nobody will stop you on the way
lf you act sensibly you'll be able to reach home alive
No problem we'll do as you say
Jai
Roll one shot at least!
Ya right you ask the questions, l'll roll the camera
l am serious So am l
l'm Jai l'm a cameraman from lndia What's your name?
lmran lmran Khan Afridi
Very powerful name lmran Khan (Pakistani Cricketer)
Do you play cricket?
Why? Does everybody in lndia named Sachin (lndian Cricketer) go around with a bat?
No l was only asking
But lmran Khan is a great cricketer wasn't he?
Yes he was the greatest all rounder in the world!
Ya he was pretty good
He was No 1 the best in the world
Now that's a bit too much No 1 was always Kapil Dev (lndian Cricketer)
Number 1 all rounder Who ?
Kapil Dev Kapil brother number 1 allrounder
What nonsense are you talking about?
Kapil's nothing in front of lmran Khan!
How would you know? You had banned TV
Kapil's records are betterthan lmran in every field
Records mean nothing lmran was No 1 !
What shit are you talking?
Everybody knows that Kapil was a better all rounder lsn't that true?
How the hell does it matter who was number one
They are both retired now aren't they?
What you mean, how does it matter? Of course it matters
Cricket is a bloody waste of time man!
1 1 players stand on the field, scratching their crotches all the time
See even yourfriend doesn't know about Kapil
This bugger has no clue about anything!
All he does is body building all day long
Look ahead
Kapil Dev is a better player Bloody traitor!
Throw this out
This was one of the most fertile lands in Afghanistan
The grapes from here were exported all overthe world
Nothing remains today its all over!
These guys destroyed everything
What did they gain from destroying my beautiful country?
Why blame others? You guys have been fighting
amongst yourselves forthe last 25 years?
Had Pakistan not interfered, Afghanistan wouldn't look like this today
Well, Pakistan has also provided shelter
to you guys forthe past 20 years
You have been eating ourfood forfree and then you talk about war
We didn't start the war, you did!
Shut up and keep driving
Why should l shut up? lt's a fact? You started the war?
Now tell me bastard who started this war?
Yes We Afghans started it ourselves
Bastard talks too much Now shut up and keep driving
Cigarette!
Here goes another American bomber!
That's the 12th since morning
ljust had a talk with the Colonel
We've been given strict orders to seal the border
All of you will have to be alert
But Sir, our men are still crossing the border
And who told you that the ones crossing the border are our men?
Not a single Pakistani is in Afghanistan ls that clear?
The Colonel has got the same order from the High Command
Make sure this post is ready by evening
There goes our bloody High Command!
Stop here!
Take the keys out and come with me
You two stay here!
Move
What the hell is he doing?
He's pissing?
Oh hell he'll get us killed!
Get into the car fast!
Do any of you know how to drive?
Do you know how to drive or not?
We don't even have a license
l swear
Get inside the car!
Why are you taking our passports?
l don't need to answer anything
Jai Kapoor
Suhel Khan
Afterthe recent bombing in Kandahar
the American bombers have now started targeting areas nearJalalabad
Bastards!
Now that they don't need us, they're dropping bombs on us
That too from 30,000 feet above
Come down and fight, you bastards!
This guy's crazy!
They'll drop a bomb on us!
Where the hell are you headed? Get back on the road!
This is also a similar route
lf we get back on the road, the Americans will bomb us!
Shut up!
Hello, are we going in the right direction?
You said this is the way to Pakistan
We're going on and on, and we haven't seen them yet
ls it dangerous around here?
Khyber is right You don't know the power of American technology
l'm not scared of your Americans! What's the big deal about them?
l thought the Americans were yours till yesterday ?
Now he realizes
The Americans are loyal to no one Shut up
You chaps seemed very happy taking money
from the Americans to fight the Russians?
Yes we did but only to defend our country
Unlike you guys
who took money from the Americans and then ?
Please! There's no point in fighting like this
You're sensible Tell your driverto shut up and keep driving
We need to halt forthe night
This bastard always has a problem! We can't stop Keep driving
My brother Please don't start all over again
Why don't you just do as you are told?
How can l?
The Americans bomb every car that moves at night
And if we escape the Americans, the Hazara will surely get us
Now who is this Hazara?
The Hazara Mujahidin control this area
These guys are the most brutal criminals in Afghanistan
ln orderto save bullets they ram a nail into your head to kill you
lt's cheaperthat way
Ya right The longest nail should go into your head!
Who is that?
l don't know! This area shouldn't have a check post
Slow the car down
l can't believe it He ran away
Khyber, what a horror story He got so scared that he ran away
But it's a true story The guys ahead are actually Hazara
You are joking right? No
We were kidnapped by a Talib And l think he saw you and ran away
So he must be somewhere around here
What's he saying?
They are journalists from lndia, and we had been kidnapped by a Talib
He ran away upon seeing you
Correct He ran away
Journalists lndia
Keep smiling at them but l suspect something is seriously wrong here
Why are you saying that? ls this smile fine?
Shit!
We have to take them to the commander
Commander ? But these guys are journalists
Don't argue We have to take them
They say they are the local commander's men
They want to file your report on the Talib Come
Not you just these two
They want just the two of you to follow them l'll have to stay here
Suhel be careful
Suhel, pull your jacket down from behind Why?
Do you have to ask ''why'' for everything? Pull it down, will you? Why?
Forget it!
What's up?
Move!
They were Hazara gunmen
They would have looted you
driven a nail into your heads, and sold your car in Pakistan
Give me a cigarette
Thanks for saving our lives
No need to thank me
l need you alive in orderto reach the border
You sonofabitch!
What's the difference between you and these bastards?
You both kill to suit yourselves
Bastard, you pissed on me
Now l'll shoot you and leave you here with these dogs
But before you die, let's hearfrom you who started this war ?
Speak up, you Bastard!
We did! Who?
Pakistan!
Take his gun away
Release the lock! Where is it?
OK Forget it Might go off by mistake
Now let's hearyou, you dog
who was the best all rounder Kapil or lmran?
Jai, this is no time to fool around
l'm not fooling around Tell me bastard! Kapil Dev or lmran Khan?
Kapil Dev
l will take this bastard to Kabul and hand him overto the Americans
l'll get a reward No We won't be able to sleep
won't be able to pee Let's leave him here
Let's tie him up and leave him here
Give me your gun
Go ahead do yourthing
Mind blowing!
How do these Americans reach everywhere?
Look, Taliban
Do it now at least! Can l?
Shoot! You horny bastard!
OK Enough shooting!
Can l get one last cigarette?
What? You have already had so many of my cigarettes
What if l get a sore throat? Grant a dying man his last wish
Haider, you carry on with the car l will come back with these guys
lf that's fine with you guys? Oh no problem at all
The seat next to me is absolutely empty
l must really thank you guys
l was pretty sure they were going to rape me
Naah! l think they were more interested in your driver
Khyber! You're a hero! Jai, at least now your cigarettes are safe
Yeah! The bastard must be puffing his last cigarette
Bastards, they ate all my chocolates
Thank God, they did not mess up my camera and passport
Passport! Passport?
That bastard's still got our passports Let it be Get new ones made
lt's not a suit l'm talking about
They're passports
How do we leave this hellhole without passports?
Even if we get out, how do we enter lndia?
No, let's go back and get them
What?? Are you mad? You want to go back to that maniac?
So what? lt's been only 5 minutes since we left him
He's all tied up anyway
l told you we should have shot the bastard
This time we'll kill the bastard
But why did you give your passports to a guy like that?
Here, she's started her interview again
lets take her back and tie her up again
What did he say? Nothing
Shit!
The bastard's gone! l told you we should kill him
l've lost my reward too!
Grant a dying man his last wish
What do we do now?
We'll have to go to the lndian Embassy
That was bombed long time back!
Let's get out of here
Their men must be headed this way
l think that's why he also ran away Let's go
l told you to leave the passports back in the hotel
Hotel? You call that war monument a hotel?
There's no ceiling in that place!
Oh! Shit!
Tell that bastard to hand over his pistol
Stop the car!
Get out! All of you! Get your cameras along
Shoot his pics!
Shoot his pics just like you shot mine!
Who is this white woman?
She is an American journalist
Can't take her along lt's too dangerous to have her with us
l will have to leave her here But we can't leave her alive!
Tell him l have a Pakistani visa
This can justify our going towards the border
What did she say? She says she has a Pakistani visa
lf somebody inquires
we can say we need to drop herto the border
Does she know how to drive?
She's American she must know
Car? drive?
Drive? Does he mean drive?
We're dead!
Of course l drive, l am an American!
lmran Sahab He's the only one who knows the way to the border
Can you see that smoke ahead? Stop the car!
Diesel! Fill her up
This is what happens when you drive in the night
The Americans must have bombed these trucks
lt's Coke! No, it's not coke
What? lt's Coke lt's too sweet, it's Pepsi
What's the difference? They are both the same bloody thing
What's the difference? Why are you so vague in life?
lmran Khan and Kapil are the same thing!
Coke and Pepsi are the same thing!
Jessica listen You are an American
Can you tell us if this is Coke or Pepsi?
l don't drink either
You don't drink Coke? What sort of American are you?
A sensible sort
l told you its Pepsi!
The war is all about this
the Americans will do anything to sell their Coke and Pepsi
this is exactly what they do Suck all the oil out of a country
and then fill it with Coke and Pepsi
Why's he yelling at me? l don't even like Coke or Pepsi
lts all about money isn't it? Foryou Americans?
l also want money
How much do you get forthese photographs of Taliban?
What's he saying?
He's asking how much you get forthese photographs
How many dollars for photograph of Taliban?
l don't know Maybe 5, maybe 6 hundred How much?
She says 500 to 600 dollars
All right l will take 300 dollars!
What? He wants 300 dollars
lf you don't give money, then l will snatch your camera
a
We are from a poor country like yours
We don't even get so much salary l swear!
This guy hasn't even got his salary forthe last two months
lsn't it?
So Suhel, won't you offeryour prayers?
Oh! Of course you are an lndian Muslim
what would you know about lslam ?
You're right, what would we know about lslam?
You are the guardians of ourfaith
You keep an AK56 on your side and then pray
His name isn't lmran He is from the Pakistani army
l can give him more money if he wants
Salaam! Where is the American journalist?
She's coming with the lndian journalists
Commander! The American journalist is not here
He says that she is coming with the lndian journalists
They're not here? He came alone? Yes!
Hold him back till the journalists reach here Ask him to park his car
Park your carthere and get down
lf his name is not lmran, why did he fight so much?
Whose photograph was that?
There she begins her interview again!
Not only will she get herself killed, but us too!
Whose photograph was that?
This was my daughter
Was?
Zoya
Haven't seen her in six years
Why?
How could l? l have been fighting this warfor 6 years
What's he saying? We'll tell you later
ls she in Pakistan?
No She stays here in Afghanistan
l got her married in a village, this side of the border
Our village is very close to the border on the other side
So why didn't you ever meet her?
l tried once,
But she refused to meet
Because l was in the Taliban, and she didn't approve of this
She did not like their way of thinking
their behaviortowards women
using force in the name of religion
Were you Ok with all that?
No!
My views were different
Then why were you with them? l was not with them
l was only doing my duty
You've got to obey orders in the Army lt's my right to do my duty
What kind of duty, lmran sir?
Performing that you have to be ashamed of your own children?
Go to sleep
We're very nearthe border We'll leave early tomorrow
l was sure he's gonna shoot me
Yeah, you crossed the line today
You almost seem to enjoy these wars
Me? Well after every trip to these hell holes
i promise myself neverto return But
But you break your promise!
And you know why? To sell some more gore
Some more inhuman horror stories to the world
that chose to do nothing when this place was burning
And you know why l am doing it?
l hope publisher's will line up for my book when l write all this
But what else do you think reporters can do?
Nothing, l guess Otherthan knowing in their hearts
That whateverthey do is not enough
What have you done?
Where are the reporters? They haven't come as yet lt's really late
There's a small problem When the lndian reporters saved
us from the Hazara, there was a Talib with them
Talib? Why didn't you tell that to me before?
There were a lot of people
l thought they'll tie the Talib up But l think they're in trouble
Tomorrow early morning, we must go there
Get in!
Come on, guys!
We must drive out of this area fast
What happened now?
This village is famous in Afghanistan as the village of thieves
Why?
When they see a foreigner in a car, they push a donkey onto the road
The moment the car hits the donkey
the entire village comes running out
screaming and shouting
lt was a special donkey a priceless donkey
He had studied in a school An educated donkey!
And then?
Then they strip you of all your money and sometimes
even your clothes
Great! That's all we needed!
But we don't need to worry Why?
Because ever since the Taliban collapsed
so many English journalists have passed this way
that all the donkeys in the village must be over
Some still remain Now they drive cars
Looks like a suicide bomber
Bloody terrorist!
Shit! Sorry it wasn't meant foryou
Where are they? Show me!
They were right here
Where are they? l don't see anyone around
l don't know where they've gone You're lying!
No! l swearto God they were here
Move!
''Whatever l received, l accepted as destiny ''
''l accepted as destiny ''
''What got lost, l kept forgetting that ''
''Every worry l decided to blow away as smoke ''
Perfect mood for a cigarette!
Sure! Sure!
Amazing! You're fond of Hindi songs?
Old Hindi film songs are my weakness
used to stealthily listen to lndian Radio as a kid
Later l saw a lot of yourfilms also
Didn't the Taliban ban Hindi films?
They were uncultured idiots
l have been saying foryears
Give us Madhuri Dixit (lndian Actress) and take Kashmir
She's gone now Married and settled in America
Everything nice that we have finally goes away to America
What's the matter? What's going on here?
Some Taliban were trying to escape towards the border
We've captured them
Talib? Yes, Talib!
These guys have captured two Taliban
who were trying to escape towards the border
They are killing them with their bare hands
Who are they?
lndian journalists!
lndian journalists? Come take some pictures
He says you should come out and shoot
What do you say Suhel?
Should we tell them about him?
No, Jai Let's get out of here
You guys should go to Torkhan
You'll get more pictures of Taliban there
The American's have just bombed that area
He's saying we must go to Torkham
Many Taliban soldiers were hiding there
and the Americans have bombed that area heavily
Hundreds have died He says you will get great shots
Ask them the way to Torkham
l think we're lost!
No, he said keep going down the straight road
This road looks straight to you?
Dude! Do you think you will find a road straighterthan this here?
You have a point
By the way, lmran Sahab, why are we going to Torkham?
My daughter's village is in Torkham
Do you know exactly where the village is located?
l have a faint idea
But how will l meet her?
lt can be dangerous for her
A man can't ask for a woman's whereabouts here
Then meet herthe same way you met us
Burkha! No l can't do that
Why not?
You were happily running all around Kabul in that Burkha
No its different here
lf l get caught, my daughter Zoya will be in trouble
Then what do we do?
What's he saying?
What?
l can't believe l am doing this
Oh shit! l am, so sorry
l knew she could play football
Oh shit! l am so sorry Are you okay?
What are you doing?
What are you doing? Stop it!
l got hurt!
l am so sorry
Aunty!
You know her?
She lives there!
Can you take me to her?
Come on, lets go
We should have handed overthe bastard to that mob
But you seemed more interested in singing with him instead!
He still had a gun on him
He could have easily taken down 10 to 15 of those villagers
What's going on here?
The two Taliban were escaping We caught hold of them
ls he one of them?
Have a look at the other one! No, none of them is the guy
Have you seen an American lady with 4 men drive past?
Yes! Which direction?
They've gone towards Torkham Torkham? Let's rush!
l can't believe even these bastards have daughters!
a
Why didn't you speak to your daughter?
You guys are fortunate
you belong to a different world
You will never understand
lmran Sahab
deep down you are not such a bad guy
Yes
And maybe if you weren't a Talib
we might have even been friends
Yes like you guys say in lndia
ln another lifetime, perhaps
Where are you running? Stop!
This firing seems to be happening nearby
When did it start? A little while ago
Okay Stay alert!
Commander! Yes!
A Talib has taken two lndian journalists behind those rocks!
We'll get them back Guys, let's go!
lndian journalists!! This bloody car!!
What are you doing?
Tell him now!
Listen!
This is the local Mujahidin commander
lf you hand the lndian journalists over, he will let you go
Let them go, you bastard!
The border is 5 minutes away
l'm too close now to give up
Either l cross the border, or all of us die
Listen here
lf you and your men don't leave this area in 5 minutes
l'm going to shoot these guys one by one
Don't be stupid, lmran Sahab
lf you leave us, the commander will let you go
You really believe that these Afghans will let me live?
Me? A Talib!
But you're not like the Taliban
Really ? And you will explain this to them?
Have you forgotten what they did to those two guys in the village?
Do you think my fate will be any betterthan that?
Don't fire like that! Didn't he say he'll shoot them if you fire?
But then it's impossible foryou to escape from here
Bastard!!
ls that the last magazine?
Why don't you leave us and run away?
lf l stop firing these guys will be here in less than a minute
And it will take me at least 10 minutes to reach that hill
lmran Sahab, give me your gun
Give me the gun and run to your country as fast as you can
l will keep firing in the airtowards them forthe next 10 minutes
They won't move ahead
lf l hand you the gun
won't you shoot me?
You have no option but to trust me
lf you stay, you will surely die
But if you give me the gun, you might just have a chance
Hey! Go from behind
Just a moment Mr Taliban
Here's a little gift from lndia?
Don't smoke any other cigarette you might get a sore throat
You have helped me reach home
but you guys also need to go back, don't you?
Why's he firing in the air?
Can l, please?
ls this enough? This is enough
He must have reached Lahore by now
Commander! The Talib is not here!
Why is this chap running straight towards us?
Sir, he could be one of our men!
How often do l need to repeat myself?
None of our men are on that side of the border!
He's seems to be headed here Give him a warning shot! Sir?
Fire
What the hell is he saying?
l think he's trying to tell us something
l'm Subedar MajorJaan Mohammed Frontier Guards
Should we allow him nearthe post?
No need Fire another warning shot!
Sir, he is unarmed! Fire!
Why are you firing?
Are you mad? Listen to me, please!
l'm Subedar MajorJaan Mohammed
He has come too close
lf he tries to cross the water, shoot him down!
Sir, it seems he's one of us!
Our men are not in Afghanistan
Fire!
So this was the story of ourJourney with the enemy
But why was he the enemy?
l mean, for 2 days we were just 5 guys traveling together in Kabul Express
We all felt fear, we all felt anger
All of us enjoyed singing and we all enjoyed cricket
Well almost all
Ourfollowing days in Kabul were not even remotely as exciting as
the two days we spent with lmran
But in our report that we made for television, we had to cut out
most of what we had seen And experienced with lmran
After all Taliban is still the enemy and how could we tell the
audience that we almost made friends with one?
l don't know what finally happened to lmran
but l hope he reached home and is happy wherever he is
a
What?