Afghans mark Massoud death anniv.

Afghans have held a ceremony to honor Ahmed Shah Massoud, a highly-respected military commander who was killed more than a decade ago, Press TV reports.

As an Afghan political and military leader, Massoud was a central figure in the resistance against the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan in the 1980s.

Following the rise of the Taliban in 1996, Massoud, rejected their beliefs and returned to the opposition. The Afghan military commander kept fighting against the Taliban militant group until his death.

On September 9, 2001, two terrorists, posing as journalists, found their way to Massoud and set off their explosives during their supposed interview.

Massoud was named “National Hero” by the order of Afghan President Hamid Karzai after his death. Afghans observe the date of his death anniversary as a national holiday.

“The absence of Ahmed Shah Massoud is plunging Afghanistan into a big crisis. Afghan people lost their strong and committed leaders. Therefore, today lack of a leader like Ahmed Shah Massoud is painful for all of us,” said Afghan lawmaker, Fawzia Koffi.

The United States and its allies invaded Afghanistan in 2001 as part of the so-called war on terror. The offensive removed the Taliban from power, but the country is still gripped by insecurity.

MR/AS/MHB