Armed guards keep an eye on the crowds during a ceremony below the shrine of Ahmad Shah Masood in the Panjshir Valley, September 9, 2002. Masood was a revered mujahedin leader who fought the Soviets in the Afghan-Soviet war, and who also was one of the main leaders of the Northern Alliance which opposed the Taliban and helped the US Military in their defeat. Masood was assasinated by what are thought to be Al Queda operatives on Sept. 9, 2001. A shrine has been erected in the Panjshir Valley, near the village of Bazarak, from where he led much of his resistance to both the Soviet and Taliban forces, to honor this latest of Afghan war heros.

central asia south asia afghanistan panjshir military guard soldier man men crowd men masood masud