The generation of young Taliban fighters that conquered Kabul has gone through the euphoria of victory to face an uncertain future as the country they won after two decades of war plunges ever deeper into economic crisis.
Most have known only fighting and while their battlefield memories may be a source of pride, they must now adjust to a world that wants to forget about war.
Left: Taliban member Shafiullah, 29, from Maidan Wardak province, who says he has been fighting with the Taliban for six years, poses for a photo outside the border regiment. Right: Taliban member Haknama, 20, from Helmand province, who says he has been fighting with the Taliban for four years, holds a pistol as he poses for a photo at Qargha reservoir.
For the people of Kabul, a city many Taliban fighters had never seen before their victory, the first reaction to the fall of the capital was very different.
Thousands were killed and maimed by Taliban suicide bombers during their long campaign to overthrow the Western-backed government and for many in Kabul the sight of the long-haired fighters on the streets caused only shock and fear.
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"There are difficulties in Jihad," said Mawlawi Mansoor. "But we enjoy the difficulties and when we look to the past, you have to feel happy."
(Photo editing Gabrielle Fonseca Johnson; Text editing Giles Elgood; Layout Julia Dalrymple)