Afghan National Army soldier Aziz Ala, an ethnic Tajik from BadakShan, northern Afghanistan, poses with his weapon following a patrol in the volatile Arghandab Valley, near Kandahar City, southern Afghanistan.

Afghan National Army soldier Mirza Mirzali, a Pashtun from Jalalabad, eastern Afghanistan.

Afghan National Army soldier Saber, an ethnic Tajik from Samangar, northern Afghanistan.