In a message to Taliban, Tajikistan honours Ahmed Shah Massoud

Afghanistan's northern neighbour Tajikistan has posthumously honoured legendary Tajik-origin commander Ahmed Shah Massoud with the country’s highest civilian award, in what is being seen as a strong message to the Taliban regime in Kabul on the need for an inclusive government.

Tajikistan, strategically placed in Central Asia, on Thursday awarded its highest distinction to former Afghan defence minister Massoud and former Afghan president Burhanuddin Rabbani.

Massoud was popularly known as the ‘Lion of Panjshir’ and led the strongest resistance against the Taliban from his stronghold in the valley until he was assassinated two days before 9/11.


His son, Ahmad Massoud, is currently leading the resistance against the Taliban in Panjshir valley, along with former vice president of Afghanistan, Amrullah Saleh, and former defence minister Bismillah Khan Mohammadi.

Panjshir is separated from Tajikistan by Badakhshan province where Tajiks and Uzbeks are a majority. This is the only region which was not captured by the Soviets or the Taliban in the 80s and 90s.