The Ridge That Watches

In southeastern Afghanistan, there is a long rocky ridge locals avoid after dark.

They say the ridge watches those who pass below. In 1983, during the Soviet–Afghan

War, a Soviet night patrol moved along the base of this ridge. The orders were

clear — observe, report, return before dawn. As they advanced, their compass needle

began to spin. Radios worked… then faded into weak whispers. The commander signaled

a halt. That’s when a faint tapping echoed from the rocks above —

not random, deliberate. Night-vision scopes showed nothing. No movement.

No heat. Then a green flare rose silently behind them, cutting off their