Chapter 3: Sniper

This valley is simply an excellent place for an ambush, akin to tightly closing the openings of a sack, ensuring that none inside can escape

"Tank No. 413, haven't you caught up yet?" said Company Commander Berikov from inside one of the tanks in the middle, referring to the tank that had already been destroyed.

Finally glancing at the Soviet tank disappearing at the end, Duraney gritted his teeth and followed Muhammad along the narrow path

Indeed, it is the Afghan guerrillas

Continue forward, after reaching Area 3, we will wait for number 413," said Belikov

This task is relatively dangerous. Originally, the T-62 did not have an anti-aircraft machine gun. It has been proven that using this equipment to counter the hypothetical enemy, namely the enemy's armed helicopters, is quite challenging. However, even without engaging armed helicopters, it can still target other objectives, which is also effective. Therefore, in later versions, the T-62 was equipped with a 12.7 mm anti-aircraft machine gun. Now, this machine gun has come into play, being used to sweep the peaks on both sides. Thus, in later versions, the T-62 was equipped with a 12.7 mm anti-aircraft machine gun. Now, this machine gun has come into play, being used to sweep the peaks on both sides

At present, they are in this valley, and if there are snipers on both sides, it would put them in a very awkward position, because the only weapon they have in hand, apart from the anti-aircraft machine gun, is nothing else. Although the 115 mm smoothbore gun at the front of the tank can reduce the opponent to rubble, the elevation angle of the tank's cannon is too low to reach those heights.

"Squad leader, be careful of the sniper," the gunner reminded from the side

The round turret, so clearly, fits within the sight, and then, pull the trigger

"Accelerate the departure." Belikov shouted immediately into the radio

However, although it has been equipped, it cannot be operated remotely for shooting; the loader must climb outside to fire. In this way, the loader becomes an excellent target for the enemy's snipers

However, Muhammad currently has only two men, while the opposing side has six tanks. Therefore, he has no choice but to conceal himself at the exit of the valley, where he seeks to first destroy one of the Soviet tanks.

At this moment, Muhammad was filled with a fighting spirit from head to toe

Upon hearing Muhammad's words, Durani felt a sense of relief and bravely went into battle

As soon as one exits the base, it is necessary to remain completely inside the tank, as per the order issued by the command post a year ago

Suddenly, the gunner felt something damp on his hands, and upon closer inspection, it was red

The one from 413, Pugankov, always likes to hold back. If I had known earlier, I should have placed him in the middle instead of letting him clean up the battlefield. That guy is probably over there trampling on corpses right now. Berikov felt quite dissatisfied at the thought, but there was no other way; currently, there was no signal on the radio

Surrounded by barren mountains, stark and devoid of trees, the sun blazed fiercely upon the earth. Belikov turned halfway around but saw not a single pleasing sight.

It is not that the sniper uses a suppressed sniper rifle, but rather that the sniper is highly skilled, knowing to fire when Nikola shoots. The sound of the machine gun combined with the engine noise conceals the sound of the opponent's shot. At this moment, the opponent can be considered an experienced hand. The opponent is likely holding just an AKM.

Hiding inside the tank, Berikov looked through the periscope and saw a dozen people charging down the slopes on both sides

The red liquid flowed down Nikola's body

"How do you know that?" Durani suddenly asked.

With a "da, da da," the trigger of the firing switch was pulled, and a tongue of flame burst forth from the muzzle of the anti-aircraft machine gun

"Yes, we will drive the Soviets away!" Duraney said as he quickly darted back to his position.

In fact, Muhammad has already achieved remarkable merit by destroying just one Soviet tank. Now, the Afghan guerrillas have suffered enough from the Soviet armored forces; otherwise, they would not have invited these instructors from Pakistan.

Originally, if accompanied by infantry, it would have been possible for the infantry to climb the slopes on both sides, thereby protecting the advance of the armored units. However, now it can only rely on the loaders to resolve the situation

Belyakov could no longer contain himself; he opened the hatch above his head, raised his seat, and revealed half of his body.

Six T-62 tanks were cautiously moving through the valley. The first two tanks had their hatches on the right side open, and the loader on top was firing intermittently at the surrounding mountain peaks every few seconds. The sound of the ammunition belt rattled as flames continuously erupted from the gun muzzles, sending dust flying on the hillside, while sparks flew from the hard rocks that were being struck.

No one would truly carry it out; after running for several hours, completely confined within the tank, no one could endure it

However, once one arrives here, one becomes stateless; in the event of an incident, if captured, one cannot be acknowledged.

However, upon hearing the reminder from the gunner, he still re-entered the turret and pressed the switch of the throat communicator: "Attention, we are about to enter a canyon area, be cautious of guerrilla ambushes on both sides. 402, 404, use the anti-aircraft machine guns to fire at the mountaintops on both sides."

The cursed mountains, at times, the radio signals suddenly disappear. This T-62 tank's radio is an outdated model, and they were originally just a secondary unit, with their equipment not being updated in a timely manner. Now, however, they are expected to accomplish operational tasks that can only be completed by an elite army group.

In addition to Pakistan, there is also an instructor from a certain Eastern country

The terrain here is unfavorable, so it is better to withdraw from this place first. Later, we can use the tank cannons and load them with grenades to completely flatten any suspicious areas!

"Of course not. Right now, the Soviets are just randomly firing shots to the sides of the peak; this is merely exploratory shooting," said Muhammad

Suddenly, the machine gun in the loader's hands stopped, and his body collapsed onto the machine gun

As for Muhammad, it is even more so; if he were to die, his body would likely remain in this deep mountain, devoured by wild wolves

Many people have grown weary of life here

It was still better back then at the station, along the shores of the Caspian Sea, where beautiful women could be seen everywhere, what a pity

The six tanks of the 42nd Tank Brigade are advancing forward, completely unaware.

The valley is narrow and elongated, with both the entrance and exit being quite constricted. Several large boulders block these openings, allowing only a single tank to pass through. Therefore, if the first tank is destroyed, the mouth of the valley will be completely blocked, and on the other side of the Durani Valley, the Soviets will be waiting to retreat. If by chance the second tank is also incapacitated, then none of the remaining four will be able to escape.

Sniper! There are snipers from the Afghan guerrilla forces on this hillside

"No, we are also unable to establish radio contact," said the loader, who also served as the radio operator.

What happened? How did they start fighting ahead? All the way here, Muhammad was still unaware that another guerrilla group was lying in ambush at the top of the mountain

The time for this shooting stopped a few seconds earlier than in previous instances

If there were a few more of Muhammad's men, he would certainly deploy personnel on the peaks on both sides, making it very easy to strike down on the weak tops of the tanks from the summit of the mountains

The anti-aircraft machine gun is indeed usable, however, it is not remote-controlled, which requires the tank operator to be exposed. In the presence of a sniper, the tank operator is in great danger; just now, there was a vivid example of this.

"Report, there are snipers from the Afghan guerrillas on both sides." The vehicle commander immediately reported to the company commander via radio

This is mountainous terrain, and our radio signal is not very good, the artillery commander said to Berikov

During the pursuit, they managed to shake off the infantry. According to the recent communication, the infantry will be waiting for them in Area 3, which is eighty kilometers away from here

The rumbling tank, even when merely seated inside, can evoke a sense of agitation; this tank is nothing short of a living, breathing hunk of iron

The distant hillside was immediately enveloped in a cloud of dust.

Although it is not necessary to be overly cautious, Belikov still needs to raise his vigilance regarding this terrain

"Hey, Nikola, keep shooting," the gunner below urged him

"Instructor, have we been discovered?" Upon hearing the sound of the machine gun, Durani's heart tightened immediately

Thus, now, listening to the increasingly close rumble of tanks and feeling the tremors of the ground, Muhammad reached the exit of the valley, hiding behind a large rock on the side of the road. Soon, after the arrival of the Soviet tanks, it would be time to take action

However, as the T-62 tank at the front was almost right in front of him, Muhammad did not hesitate. He suddenly stood up from his hiding place, and the RPG-7 on his shoulder, at that moment, embodied all of Muhammad's hopes

Insert the ammunition belt, disengage the safety, and the loader focuses their eyes on the sight above the anti-aircraft machine gun, aiming at the bare mountaintop ahead

Is there even a need to ask? Do you think this is a television drama? Muhammad explained to Duran: "Listen, the enemy's machine guns are firing in bursts; once they start, at least twenty to thirty rounds will be fired, creating an open area. This kind of tactic is just a probe. If a target is truly identified, excellent marksmen will use three-round bursts to eliminate the enemy. Now, return to your position, prepare yourself, and bravely fight to drive away the Soviets! Long live Allah!"

With his command, the two tanks in front opened the hatches on the right, forming a half shield behind them. Then, the loader reluctantly crawled out and began to operate the anti-aircraft machine gun on top of the turret