Role in Afghanistan
Wana at the time was also a significant supply and training base for Mujahideen activities in Afghanistan. When he was approximately 18 years of age, Muhammad joined the Mujahideen, recruited by his friend Mohammad Gul. He and Gul served with the forces of Saifullah Mansoor of Shah-i Kot. He, along with Mansoor, likely would have transferred his allegiance to the Taliban in 1995 or 1996. He rose rapidly in the ranks, becoming a sub-commander of a Waziri Taliban unit, and fighting in battles against Northern Alliance forces in Bagram, Bamyan and Panjshir. He reportedly ultimately led a force of 3,000 Taliban at one time.
During this period he reportedly met al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden at the Rash Khor training camp, south of Kabul. He also met bin Laden's deputy, Ayman al-Zawahiri, and reportedly also became friends-in-arms with Taliban minister Mullah Nazir, the leader of the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan, Tahir Yaldashev, and Uighur separatist leader Hasan Mohsin. After the Taliban regime fell in late 2001, Muhammad returned to Wana, and from there reportedly facilitated the escape of many other Taliban and foreign fighters from Afghanistan.
Read more about this topic: Nek Muhammad Wazir
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