They had abandoned the plan to integrate the Afghan resistance groups, but support still had to be given where it was due. The Russian Army still needed these people to cause trouble for the British.
As for the troubles that might arise in the future, those were matters for after the war was won. There was no time to worry about them in the short term.
Besides, with so many Afghan resistance groups, there would always be a few turncoats. Divide them, win them over, and the problem would be solved. Deep down, General Okinets fiercely despised the British.
With Russian support, the Afghan resistance groups became increasingly active.
Today they sabotaged roads, tomorrow they blew up bridges; every now and then, they took potshots or ambushed a convoy, making life miserable for the British Army.
In Andkhoy, Colonel Makau, commander of the city's defenders, felt like crying. The Russians ignored the strategic strongholds and insisted on breaking through here instead. He was utterly speechless.
Inside the Ninth Indian Colonial Division headquarters, a haggard Colonel Makau asked, "When will the reinforcements arrive?"
Before the young officer before him could answer, artillery fire rang out again. The Russian Army had resumed its assault on the city.
At the sound of the bombardment, Colonel Makau's expression instantly darkened. The Battle of Andkhoy had been underway for only two days, yet the Ninth Division had already suffered more than a thousand casualties.
Colonel Makau did not care about the soldiers' losses. As a pure-blooded Englishman, he had never regarded Indian soldiers as his own people. No matter how severe the losses, it did not pain him.
But morale was another matter. If this had been a British Army main-force unit, it could have gritted its teeth and held on even after losing twenty