On 9 September 2011, two days before the terrorist attacks of 9/11, Ahmad Shah Massoud, the leader of the ‘Northern Alliance’ known to his troops as the ‘Lion of Panjshir’, was assassinated by two Tunisians posing as Belgian who claimed to have come to interview him.

From the mid 1970s until his death, Massoud had been active in the resistance, first to the Soviet Invasion and then in the fight against the Taliban who were in charge between 1996 and 2001.

Panos photographer Pascal Maitre met and photographed Massoud a number of times during the years of resistance to the Taliban regime. To see more images, please click here.

Commander Ahmad Shah Massoud at his Jangalak base in the Panjshir Valley. 1998. © Pascal Maitre/Panos Pictures

Commander Ahmad Shah Massoud controls his forces from high ground overlooking the city of Taloqan, Takhar. 1998. © Pascal Maitre/Panos Pictures

Commander Ahmad Shah Massoud, known as the ‘The Lion of Panjshir’, flying a helicopter as co-pilot. Takhar. 1998. © Pascal Maitre/Panos Pictures

Ahmad Shah Massoud at his Jangalak base in the Panjshir Valley. 1998. © Pascal Maitre/Panos Pictures

Helicopters from Ahmad Shah Massoud’s forces take off from open ground beside farmers plouging a field. Panjshir vallery, Afghanistan. 1998. © Pascal Maitre/Panos Pictures

Ahmad Shah Massoud on the frontline at Bangi, Takhar. 1998. © Pascal Maitre/Panos Pictures

Ahmad Shah Massoud stands on high ground above the
city of Taloqan. Takhar, Afghanistan. 1998. © Pascal Maitre/Panos Pictures