In March, the climate of Afghanistan was dry and stiflingly hot. In Kabul, the capital, on the northern bank of the Kabul River, lay the New City District, considered one of the most prosperous and secure areas of the capital. Embassies and aid companies from various countries were mostly clustered here.
As night fell, the lights of the New City District began to flicker on one by one. Soon, the entire northern bank was enveloped in a sea of light.
American soldiers stationed on the northern bank, as usual, drove their cumbersome armored vehicles on routine patrols, slowly traversing the Green Zone Avenue where embassies and aid companies were concentrated. The Green Zone was considered the safest area in all of Afghanistan, and as the patrol vehicles passed, there were no unusual occurrences.
The spring night brought a refreshing breeze, which was invigorating. Months of curfew had made the Green Zone quiet and peaceful, and it seemed that tonight, like any other night, would be uneventful.
As the night deepened, there were hardly any pedestrians on the streets of the Green Zone. It seemed that the locals had grown accustomed to life under curfew and had returned to their homes early. After all, it was still a period of post-war reconstruction, and with the remnants of the Taliban and Al-Qaeda terrorists still rampant, no one knew when the rumored Taliban spring offensive would begin. Staying at home was still the safest option.
The patrol armored vehicles made another round through the Green Zone, with everything still peaceful. The armored convoy turned a corner and headed back to their military base, marking the end of several hours of routine night patrol. The Green Zone was now left in the hands of armed security guards hired for protection, faithfully guarding what was said to be the safest place in Kabul.
At that moment, several figures emerged from the roadside bushes, quite a number of them. When all the shadows had crept onto the street, there were as many as a dozen. These shadows quickly infiltrated the Green Zone under the cover of night. It seemed that this group had been lying in wait here, timing their move perfectly to enter as soon as the American patrol vehicles withdrew. They appeared to be very familiar with the terrain of the Green Zone. The shadows moved swiftly, heading directly toward the site of an aid company without any hesitation. This particular company was located in the most weakly guarded section of the Green Zone. At the company's entrance, aside from two armed security guards, there were no additional guards, as if no protection was needed at all. The sleeping personnel inside the embassy could never have imagined that anyone would strike here.
The black-clad figures moved quickly, and these dozen or so had already hidden outside the tall walls of the company.
At this point, the leader of the black-clad group gave a signal, initiating the attack. Almost without need for cover, the dozen shadows swiftly rushed forward along the base of the wall. Fire flashed, and two crisp gunshots rang out. The two security guards had no time to react before their heads exploded in a burst of blood at close range.
The gunshots pierced the night sky, sounding especially loud in the deep night, and alerted the people inside the company. Lights began to flicker on in the dark building. At the same time, the dozen shadows fiercely stormed into the company. Shouts, gunshots, and screams filled the air, creating chaos...
In the darkness, the flag on the roof of the company building fluttered in the night breeze. By the faint light, one could make out the emblem on the flag鈥攊t was the five-starred red flag, the flag of China. The gunfire continued, and the Chinese aid company in Afghanistan faced a catastrophic disaster on this seemingly peaceful night...
Dawn broke, and a red sun slowly rose in the eastern sky. The usually quiet Green Zone was unusually noisy, with armored vehicles continuously heading toward it. The perimeter of the Chinese aid company was completely surrounded by American troops, with no gaps. Except for media with special passes, the Green Zone was fully locked down and under martial law. Two hundred meters from the embassy, journalists from various countries stationed in Afghanistan set up their cameras and lenses outside the cordon.
A major incident that shocked the world: all personnel inside the Chinese aid company were taken hostage by a group of armed militants. Through the windows of the building, one could faintly see masked militants patrolling with guns. The entire aid company was firmly under the control of these militants. The exact number of casualties had not yet been determined, but the news had spread across the world through the media. At this moment, the eyes of the world were focused on Afghanistan, a country that had yet to recover from war.
Chinese negotiation experts were still on a plane en route. The Chinese government was broadcasting various statements through radio and television, calling on the armed militants to resolve the hostage crisis peacefully. The Chinese government demanded negotiations, and at the same time, Chinese leaders were in urgent consultations with the American president over the phone. The emergency diplomatic mechanisms of the Chinese embassies in Afghanistan and Pakistan were activated, quickly communicating with the militants through various local channels in Afghanistan. The goal was clear: to save the surviving hostages inside the aid company...
The truth of the incident was soon revealed through video statements released by the armed militants. The purpose of the attack on the Chinese aid company was not directed at the Chinese government, but at the American government, which had a large number of troops stationed in Afghanistan. The United States had caused the trouble, and China was suffering the consequences. The Chinese government's stance was no longer acceptable to the militants, and negotiations seemed to have little effect. The militants had only one demand: the release of all prisoners held by the United States at Guantanamo Bay. In response, the American president issued a statement condemning the militants. The statement conveyed a signal of apology and regret to the Chinese government, indicating the American government's stance. The American position was firm: they would not bow to terrorists.
The smell of blood grew stronger, and bodies shot dead the previous night were thrown out one by one, filling the air above the aid company with a bloody stench. The militants were extremely stubborn. As time ticked by, the American negotiation representatives could not persuade these brutal militants, and negotiations failed. The militants threatened to execute a hostage every ten minutes.
Time was running out, and a forceful attack seemed to be the only option. Dozens of fully armed American Navy SEALs crouched against the walls of the aid company, bullets loaded, awaiting the command to attack. At that moment, Chinese negotiation experts were still en route. In this critical moment, the Chinese leader received a call from the American president. There was no time left鈥攍aunch the attack!
The hostage crisis was imminent, and there was no more time to waste. The Chinese leader could only helplessly accept this uncontrollable reality. At that moment, only one minute remained of the ten-minute deadline...
In the final ten seconds, the order was given. Dozens of Navy SEALs stormed the embassy from various assault positions. At the same time, dozens of tear gas canisters were thrown through the windows, filling the embassy area with smoke. Gunfire erupted, and tracer rounds lit up the night.
The Navy SEALs stormed into the building with swift actions. Plans never keep up with changes. Just then, suddenly! A deafening explosion rang out with a "boom," and a huge fireball appeared. The entire company building shuddered violently, with thick smoke and dust rising. A strange mushroom cloud formed above the building.
The echoes of the massive explosion lingered, and the sound of shattering glass filled the air. The windows of cars parked around the company were shattered by the shockwave of the explosion. A wave of heat hit the onlookers, who had no time to cover their ears before the building in front of them collapsed into pieces. In that instant, the building crumbled, sending glass shards and chunks of concrete flying. Dust filled the air, and people who couldn't avoid the debris cried out in pain, falling to the ground seeking cover. The scene was chaotic.
The massive explosion shook the entire ground. In the shocking blast, the company building was obliterated in an instant. Flames roared, and choking smoke filled the air, mixed with blood and limbs, leaving a scene of devastation...
A devastating explosion that wiped out everything. The building was rigged with explosives beforehand鈥擟4, a highly potent explosive. As the Navy SEALs stormed the building, the militants simultaneously detonated the explosives strapped to their waists and the powerful C4.
A world-shocking tragedy: aside from those injured by the blast wave outside, inside the Chinese aid company, all seventeen militants were killed, all twenty-eight Chinese staff members were martyred, and thirty-two Navy SEALs perished.
A mutual destruction in which both China and the United States suffered heavy losses. The grim news quickly spread across the world.
A ruthless, suicidal massacre. China was furious. The Chinese government, which always advocated a peaceful approach, could never have imagined that terrorists would target a Chinese aid company. The world's major media outlets were filled with expressions of China's strong indignation! The time was frozen on March 1, 2007...