The Afghan valley proud of its young suicide bombers

Would-be suicide bomber Ismail Ashuqullah regrets missing the chance to blow himself up at the height of the Afghan war. (Photo: AFP)

TANGI VALLEY (AFGHANISTAN): Taliban-trained suicide bomber Ismail Ashuqullah regrets missing the chance to blow himself up at the height of the Afghan war -- like many other young men from the lush green Tangi Valley.

He had fought for eight years with the Taliban against US-led foreign forces and Afghan government troops before joining a special brigade trained for suicide missions.