First casualty

On the 11th of September 2001, the World Trade Center in New York was attacked. In the aftermath, the US declared a 'War on Terror' and within two months had sent troops to Afghanistan, which was suspected of harbouring al-Qaeda operatives. In late November, coalition forces were stationed in the ancient fort of Qala-i-Janghi, assisting the CIA in interrogations of al-Qaeda suspects, when hundreds of men from the surrounding areas surrendered to the soldiers. The soldiers had respected local customs of respect by not searching them, but what they did not know was that the prisoners were armed and determined to send a message to the invading forces. What ensued was six days of fighting that would prove to be one of the bloodiest of the War, a ferocious fight for survival in a dusty outpost facing a fearless enemy, and a death that would never be forgotten.