Young brothers doing steady business repairing AK-47 rifles

Drizzt · February 5, 2002, 05:21 PM

These boys keep Afghans shooting

Young brothers doing steady business repairing AK-47 rifles

By Brian Murphy

Associated Press

Tuesday, February 5, 2002

BALKH, Afghanistan -- Most of the guns are older than the boys.

But those in need of an AK-47 repair don't seem to mind that the oldest gunsmith in the shop doesn't yet shave and the most junior partner still has his baby teeth.

Warlords, militiamen and average gun-toting Afghans keep business brisk for the four young brothers, who are expanding their reputation as the place to turn for repairing or rebuilding the AK-47 semiautomatic rifle that is the cornerstone of the Afghan arsenal.

"If it's broken, we can fix it," said the eldest brother, 17-year-old Mohammad Arif, with the confidence of a veteran of Balhk's bazaar, about 12 miles from the northern city of Mazar-e Sharif.

In fact, he is.

The brothers -- including 15-year-old Zarif, 12-year-old Nazar and 7-year-old Janagha -- have been tinkering with firearms since they were old enough to toddle into the gritty workshop. They learned every bolt and screw of an AK-47 from their older brother, who was gunned down by the same weapon last year in a long-running dispute with a relative.

The boys claim they don't know the cause of the blood feud. It seems best not to ask too many questions in a nation with no working justice system and at least one weapon in nearly every home.

"We just want to do our jobs, make some money, live in peace," said Zarif, who goes by one name as do all his siblings, except his oldest brother.

But do they ever contemplate the contradiction between hoping for a quiet adulthood and keeping automatic weapons in working order?

The answer: "no" times four. It's hard to think about morality when you are hungry.

When the Taliban were in power, the brothers fixed their guns. Now, they take the business of the new power brokers.

"We know how to fix guns. This is our job," said Mohammad Arif. "We need to eat."

"And I like cookies," said the smallest brother, Janagha, during their lunch break in a corner of the workshop.

Hooks on the walls hold every conceivable fragment of an AK-47, also known as a Kalashnikov after its Russian designer: barrels, firing mechanisms, wooden butts. The work bench is a jumble of screws, springs and levers.

There is no electricity. All the drilling, filing and meticulous fitting is done by hand.

"It really helps to have small fingers," said a cousin, 25-year-old Kamil Tavaqol, who stopped by to file the wooden stock of an AK-47 he was refurbishing for a friend.

Repairing an AK-47 costs about 600,000 Afghanis, or about $10 at the current rate in northern Afghanistan. "Takes about three days," said Mohammad Arif.

A new weapon made from spare parts takes about 10 days and can cost up to 2 million Afghanis, or about $33.

"The Russian Kalashnikovs are the best," Nazar said. "It's what everyone wants."

Their recent clients, the boys said, have included local militia commanders Alam Khan and Mir Amza, loyal to the largest northern warlord Gen. Rashid Dostum, who helped defeat the Taliban.

The only competition in town is a mechanic shop nearby that fixes everything from weapons to sewing machines and alarm clocks.

"We get some guns to fix," said the owner, Mohammad Karim. "But lots of business goes to the boys. What can I say? The boys are good."

But he may get some more weapons work when schools reopen next month. The two youngest boys are due back in class.

Halo · February 5, 2002, 05:24 PM

I bet the headspace on those throw-together rifles is checked meticulously

.

**Tamara** · February 5, 2002, 05:25 PM

Quote:

...place to turn for repairing or rebuilding the AK-47 semiautomatic rifle that is the cornerstone of the Afghan arsenal.

Semiautomatic?

Things are worse than I thought over there...

C.R.Sam · February 5, 2002, 05:40 PM

So many reporters can't describe the color of a cue ball without screwing it up.

Sam

dZ · February 5, 2002, 05:47 PM

wait a minute! a parts gun AK is going for 33 bucks over there?

someone call Consumer Reports! The terrorists buying them by the truck load at gunshows in the states are being unfairly treated!

DonP · February 5, 2002, 05:55 PM

We have been informed, by no less than Sarah Brady and her buddy Tom Diaz, that the Taliban were all buying their AK's at our gun shows for $300 or so each and shipping them back to Afghanistan.

I'm sure they aren't really selling ocmplete full auto AK's for $33. BTW did anyone get the street address for these kids? I'd buy one, "From the children" of course.

Please buy an AK and put little Nazar through college.

Don P.

biere · February 5, 2002, 06:08 PM

I wonder how good the press is for getting the barels in these guns? That is how these are done isn't it?

With how easy it is to print paper resembling dollars these days they were likely buying guns here with computer paper.

At least they found a job that the whole family can work at. And it seems inflation has creamed yet another country. Why won't the USA let me go over there with thousands of dollars and ship back a semi-comtainer of goodies? Oh, because I would be happy and rich. That just would not do.

Lord Grey Boots · February 5, 2002, 06:09 PM

Lets see,

It works like this?

The terrorists are flying over here ($1500-$2500)
Go to a Gun show
They buy $350-$450 semi-auto AK47rifles,
-completing a background check,
- showing US identification
- Completing 4472 form,
- pack it up,
- fill out export paperwork
- fly it back to Kabul
and use it there

or
They pay $33 for a fully automatic AK47 made from surplus Russian parts left over from the Russian occupation, from the boys down the street in Kabul.

Right????

Jeff Thomas · February 5, 2002, 06:19 PM

Quote:

So many reporters can't describe the color of a cue ball without screwing it up.

Sam

Sam, you made my day. That one is a keeper.

And, with tongue firmly in cheek ... the numbers above prove why we were able to defeat the Taliban in such a short period of time. They are just flat stupid. They started out with an anemic defense budget, and then they came to U.S. gun shows and bought at retail!!

And to think most Americans actually swallow a lot of this stuff ...

Thanks for an interesting story.

Regards from AZ

OF · February 5, 2002, 08:27 PM

Quote:

It's hard to think about morality when you are hungry.

Nice little slam there, buddy.

- Gabe

February 5, 2002, 05:21 PM	#1
Drizzt Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2000 Location: Going Out of My Head at a Rapid Pace..... Posts: 2,511	Young brothers doing steady business repairing AK-47 rifles These boys keep Afghans shooting Young brothers doing steady business repairing AK-47 rifles By Brian Murphy Associated Press Tuesday, February 5, 2002 BALKH, Afghanistan -- Most of the guns are older than the boys. But those in need of an AK-47 repair don't seem to mind that the oldest gunsmith in the shop doesn't yet shave and the most junior partner still has his baby teeth. Warlords, militiamen and average gun-toting Afghans keep business brisk for the four young brothers, who are expanding their reputation as the place to turn for repairing or rebuilding the AK-47 semiautomatic rifle that is the cornerstone of the Afghan arsenal. "If it's broken, we can fix it," said the eldest brother, 17-year-old Mohammad Arif, with the confidence of a veteran of Balhk's bazaar, about 12 miles from the northern city of Mazar-e Sharif. In fact, he is. The brothers -- including 15-year-old Zarif, 12-year-old Nazar and 7-year-old Janagha -- have been tinkering with firearms since they were old enough to toddle into the gritty workshop. They learned every bolt and screw of an AK-47 from their older brother, who was gunned down by the same weapon last year in a long-running dispute with a relative. The boys claim they don't know the cause of the blood feud. It seems best not to ask too many questions in a nation with no working justice system and at least one weapon in nearly every home. "We just want to do our jobs, make some money, live in peace," said Zarif, who goes by one name as do all his siblings, except his oldest brother. But do they ever contemplate the contradiction between hoping for a quiet adulthood and keeping automatic weapons in working order? The answer: "no" times four. It's hard to think about morality when you are hungry. When the Taliban were in power, the brothers fixed their guns. Now, they take the business of the new power brokers. "We know how to fix guns. This is our job," said Mohammad Arif. "We need to eat." "And I like cookies," said the smallest brother, Janagha, during their lunch break in a corner of the workshop. Hooks on the walls hold every conceivable fragment of an AK-47, also known as a Kalashnikov after its Russian designer: barrels, firing mechanisms, wooden butts. The work bench is a jumble of screws, springs and levers. There is no electricity. All the drilling, filing and meticulous fitting is done by hand. "It really helps to have small fingers," said a cousin, 25-year-old Kamil Tavaqol, who stopped by to file the wooden stock of an AK-47 he was refurbishing for a friend. Repairing an AK-47 costs about 600,000 Afghanis, or about $10 at the current rate in northern Afghanistan. "Takes about three days," said Mohammad Arif. A new weapon made from spare parts takes about 10 days and can cost up to 2 million Afghanis, or about $33. "The Russian Kalashnikovs are the best," Nazar said. "It's what everyone wants." Their recent clients, the boys said, have included local militia commanders Alam Khan and Mir Amza, loyal to the largest northern warlord Gen. Rashid Dostum, who helped defeat the Taliban. The only competition in town is a mechanic shop nearby that fixes everything from weapons to sewing machines and alarm clocks. "We get some guns to fix," said the owner, Mohammad Karim. "But lots of business goes to the boys. What can I say? The boys are good." But he may get some more weapons work when schools reopen next month. The two youngest boys are due back in class. __________________ "That a free citizen should have to go before a committee, hat in hand, and pray for permission to bear arms - fantastic! Arm your daughter, sir, and pay no attention to petty bureaucrats." Robert Heinlein - Red Planet

February 5, 2002, 05:47 PM	#5
dZ Senior Member Join Date: May 31, 1999 Location: the Fetid Swamp, DC Posts: 7,565	wait a minute! a parts gun AK is going for 33 bucks over there? someone call Consumer Reports! The terrorists buying them by the truck load at gunshows in the states are being unfairly treated! __________________ "O tell the Lacedomecians to damn the torpedoes." BOTR, Chapter V: Some Monsters

February 5, 2002, 05:55 PM	#6
DonP Senior Member Join Date: August 7, 2001 Location: Chicago Posts: 303	There must be some mistake ... We have been informed, by no less than Sarah Brady and her buddy Tom Diaz, that the Taliban were all buying their AK's at our gun shows for $300 or so each and shipping them back to Afghanistan. I'm sure they aren't really selling ocmplete full auto AK's for $33. BTW did anyone get the street address for these kids? I'd buy one, "From the children" of course. Please buy an AK and put little Nazar through college. Don P.

February 5, 2002, 06:09 PM	#8
Lord Grey Boots Senior Member Join Date: October 12, 1999 Location: Snohomish, WA Posts: 511	Lets see, It works like this? The terrorists are flying over here ($1500-$2500) Go to a Gun show They buy $350-$450 semi-auto AK47rifles, -completing a background check, - showing US identification - Completing 4472 form, - pack it up, - fill out export paperwork - fly it back to Kabul and use it there or They pay $33 for a fully automatic AK47 made from surplus Russian parts left over from the Russian occupation, from the boys down the street in Kabul. Right???? __________________ http://www.geocities.com/gebooth2001 NRA, CCRKBA, GOA, WAC Sarin Nerve Gas:FOUND Ricin Toxin:FOUND Mustard Gas:FOUND Long Range Rockets:FOUND Nuclear material:FOUND 20 tons of Chemical weapons:FOUND Al-Queda FOUND

February 5, 2002, 05:24 PM	#2
Halo Senior Member Join Date: June 12, 2000 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 410	I bet the headspace on those throw-together rifles is checked meticulously .

February 5, 2002, 05:40 PM	#4
C.R.Sam Senior Member Join Date: October 29, 1999 Location: Dewey, AZ Posts: 12,876	So many reporters can't describe the color of a cue ball without screwing it up. Sam

February 5, 2002, 06:08 PM	#7
biere Senior Member Join Date: December 15, 2001 Location: tn Posts: 502	I wonder how good the press is for getting the barels in these guns? That is how these are done isn't it? With how easy it is to print paper resembling dollars these days they were likely buying guns here with computer paper. At least they found a job that the whole family can work at. And it seems inflation has creamed yet another country. Why won't the USA let me go over there with thousands of dollars and ship back a semi-comtainer of goodies? Oh, because I would be happy and rich. That just would not do.