Логар: От Врат Джихада до власти Талибана.

Province of Afghanistan

During the Soviet–Afghan War, Logar was known among some Afghans as the Bab al Jihad (Gates of Jihad) because it became a fierce theatre of war between US backed/trained mujahideen groups and the Soviet backed Afghan government troops. The Ahmadzai Pashtuns is dominant in this region. Haji Shuja, Haji Zareen and Haji Bahadur were the prominent traders and chieftains in the region before the soviet invasion of Afghanistan. It was one of the main supply routes of mujahideen rebels coming from Pakistan. Like other parts of the country, Logar has also seen heavy fighting since the Soviets started a crackdown against the elders of the Ahmadzai tribe during the 1980s. Swedish journalist Borge Almqvist, who visited the province in 1982, wrote that: "Everywhere in the Logar province the most common sight except for ruins are graves". Soviet operations included using bombing, the use of flammable liquids to burn alive people in hiding, poisoning of drinking water, and destruction of crops and farmland. One writer who witnessed the events argues that the Soviet actions in Logar amounted to genocide. while the NATO led foreign force mistakenly killed three civilians in an airstrike in December 2014. On 20 January 2019, the Taliban claimed responsibility for a car bomb attack on the province's governor and his convoy, which killed eight security forces and wounded at least 10 on the highway to Kabul. The governor and the provincial head of the National Directorate of Security were uninjured. On 14 August 2021, the Taliban offensive reached Puli Alam (the province capital), and the province of Logar fell to the Taliban, setting their sights on Kabul the following day.

Logar can be generally described as a relatively flat river valley in the north and central regions, surrounded by rugged mountains to the east, south, and southwest. The district of Azra, in the east, consists almost entirely of mountains, while travel to the Paktia Province to the south is limited to the Tera Pass, a 2896 m high road that was recently completed as part of the international reconstruction effort in Afghanistan. The Kabul Khost Highway runs north–south through Logar Province, from the Mohammed Agha District. The government of Afghanistan officially recognizes all the districts of the Logar province as part of the province.

Puli Alam, which is located in the district of Puli Alam, serves as the capital of Logar province. It is connected by a highway to Kabul in the north and Gardez to the southeast. The highway to Kabul was completed in 2006. Additional projects include numerous schools, radio stations, government facilities, and a major Afghan National Police base situated south of the city. Like many Afghan cities, there is municipal planning and services. During the tenure of President Ashraf Ghani the city gained electricity, clean drinking and water facilities.

Logar is an agricultural province with a wealth of minerals such as copper and chromite. Many residents of the province are engaged in the agriculture and transport business. In terms of industry, the province has one textile and one copper factory. Agriculture, commerce and services, and livestock products account for the majority of commercial operations. Agriculture is a significant source of income for 31% of households. However, commerce and services provide income to 30% of rural households, while non farm related labor provides income to 46% of rural households. Tobacco and sugar extract are the two most important industrial crops. The main industry is honey production, which is a small industry. Jewelry, ceramics, and carpets are made in a small number of settlements. Eighty four percent of the province's households have access to irrigated land. Wheat, maize, potatoes, alfalfa, clover, and other feed are among the most significant field crops. Sheep, cattle, camels, and poultry are the most frequent livestock.

The percentage of households without clean drinking water fell from 45% in 2005 to 14% in 2011. The percentage of births attended to by a skilled birth attendant increased from 9% in 2005 to 73% in 2011.

The overall literacy rate (6+ years of age) increased from 21% in 2005 to 30% in 2011. There are several girls schools in the province, mostly located in Koshi and Pul e alam. Due to the large Taliban presence in Chark and Baraki Barak, the freedom of women in Logar does not always allow for an education. As of 2007, the province had a literacy rate of 17%. Three technical and vocational high schools and two private high schools function in Logar Province. During the summer, the Kochi's population increases to 208,339, making Logar the province with the second highest number of Kochi people after neighboring Kabul province. As of 2021, the total population of Logar province is about 442,037 people. Pashtuns (Ahmadzai Pashtuns are influential in the region) and Tajiks make up the majority.

Until 2005 the district was administratively subdivided into five districts. In that year the province gained Azra District from neighboring Paktia Province; also part of Charkh District was split off into the new district of Kharwar. + Districts of Logar provinceDistrictCapitalPopulation (2021) AreaPop. densityEthnicity NotesAzra 22,985 777 30 100% Pashtuns. Officially recognized by the Afghan government as a district of Logar province. Baraki Barak 99,210 239 416 100% Tajik. Includes the road linking Puli Alam with Highway 1 to the west. Recognised as a vital commerce district. Charkh 50,220 304 165 Pashtun and Tajik. Officially recognized by the Afghan government as a district of Logar province. Kharwar 29,628 469 63 Tajik and Pashtun. Officially recognized by the Afghan government as a district of Logar province. Used to belong to Charkh DistrictKhoshi 27,236 398 69 65% Tajik, 34% Pashtun and 1% Hazara. Home to the minority Shiite of Logar. Mohammad Agha 85,295 1,076 79 60% Pashtuns and 40% Tajik. The northern portion of Mohammad Agha is contiguous with the southern 'suburbs' of Kabul. Puli Alam Puli Alam 119,800 1,131 106 Mix of Tajiks, Pashtuns, and Hazaras. The CapitalLogar434,3744,56895Majority Tajik, minority of Pashtun and Hazara

Cricket is the most popular sport in the province. Logar has been a major supplier of players for the Afghanistan national cricket team. Former players include Dawlat Ahmadzai, Ahmad Shah Pakteen and former national team captain Raees Ahmadzai. Among the active national players hailing from Logar are: Mohammad Nabi (captain of the national team), Shahpoor Zadran, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Nasir Jamal Ahmadzai and Gulbadin Naib Ahmadzai. Football is the second most popular sport in the province. De Abasin Sape (meaning "Waves of Abasin") plays in the Afghanistan Premier League. Abasin means "father of the rivers" in Pashto and refers to the Indus River. The team represents the provinces of Khost, Paktia, Logar, and Paktika. Other popular sports are volleyball, boxing, taekwondo, Washoe, kick boxing and wrestling.