At the Pak-Afghan border

Published July 1, 2011
A US flag flutters above Combat Outpost (COP) Bowri Tana in Gorbuz district on the border with Pakistan in Khost province, east of Afghanistan.
A US flag flutters above Combat Outpost (COP) Bowri Tana in Gorbuz district on the border with Pakistan in Khost province, east of Afghanistan.
A general view shows the US army Combat Outpost Bowri Tana as trucks loaded with goods from Pakistan drive past in Gorbuz district.
A general view shows the US army Combat Outpost Bowri Tana as trucks loaded with goods from Pakistan drive past in Gorbuz district.
US army Private Howard Terrel from Charlie Company, 1-26 Infantry uses binoculars to scan the horizon from Combat Outpost.
US army Private Howard Terrel from Charlie Company, 1-26 Infantry uses binoculars to scan the horizon from Combat Outpost.
A US Blackhawk army helicopter prepares to land at the COP.
A US Blackhawk army helicopter prepares to land at the COP.
US army Lieutenant Colonel Jesse Pearson (2L) battalion commander of Task Force Spader talks to his men during a visit to COP.
US army Lieutenant Colonel Jesse Pearson (2L) battalion commander of Task Force Spader talks to his men during a visit to COP.
US army Lieutenant Colonel Jesse Pearson (L) battalion commander of Task Force Spader holds talks with district governor Wali Shah (C), and Afghan Border Police Colonel Khair Mohammed (R) during a visit to Gorbuz district.
US army Lieutenant Colonel Jesse Pearson (L) battalion commander of Task Force Spader holds talks with district governor Wali Shah (C), and Afghan Border Police Colonel Khair Mohammed (R) during a visit to Gorbuz district.
A US Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle (L) patrols a highway leading to the border with Pakistan used for transporting goods.
A US Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle (L) patrols a highway leading to the border with Pakistan used for transporting goods.
An Afghan Border police aims his AK-47 rifle towards the Gorbuz highway from a guarding tower as he monitors trucks loaded with goods coming from Pakistan's border to Khost province. At the last military post before the Pakistan border, Afghan district governor Wali Shah explains why the insurgents seem untouchable. ?The Pakistan government protects them,? he said.
An Afghan Border police aims his AK-47 rifle towards the Gorbuz highway from a guarding tower as he monitors trucks loaded with goods coming from Pakistan's border to Khost province. At the last military post before the Pakistan border, Afghan district governor Wali Shah explains why the insurgents seem untouchable. ?The Pakistan government protects them,? he said.
An MRAP vehicle is parked at the entrance to Combat Outpost Bowri Tana.
An MRAP vehicle is parked at the entrance to Combat Outpost Bowri Tana.
Afghan district governor Wali Shah (L) shakes hands with US army Lieutenant Colonel Jesse Pearson during a visit by Pearson to COP Bowri Tana.
Afghan district governor Wali Shah (L) shakes hands with US army Lieutenant Colonel Jesse Pearson during a visit by Pearson to COP Bowri Tana.

Gorbuz district is a strategic area where goods as well as insurgents cross into Afghanistan from Pakistan. - Photos by AFP

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