Nasim Fekrat

This is a Soviet soldier’s tomb in the northern part of the Salang Pass, on a 12,723 ft elevation. The inscription on the grave stone read “Malinin Sergy V. 1965-86.” He was 20 at the time of his death and may have driven a truck. Today is the 25th anniversary of the final Soviet withdrawal from Afghanistan and it is also a national holiday Afghans. For many some Afghans, today is a tragic day because the Mujaheddin who fought against the Soviet troops took over the country and brought massive destruction. I took this photo in the spring of 2008 on my way towards Mazar-e Sharif. If this tomb belonged to an Afghan soldier, it could have turn into a sacred place. Nevertheless, Malinin’s tomb has thousands of pilgrims daily. Thousands of people who pass the Salang Pass visit the tomb out of curiosity. In addition, shepherds with their herds are regular visitors for drinking the mineral water that streams from the pipe which was built 28 years ago.