Pakistan soldiers stationed at the Kalpani Base

Feb. 20, 2012. The Pakistan army took an unprecedented step, allowing an Associated Press writer and photographer to follow Pakistani troops on their front-line rounds for a glimpse inside its fight against militants in the Afghanistan-Pakistan theater.

Scenes from the life of pakistan soldiers stationed at the Kalpani Base atop an 8000-foot mountain in Pakistan's Dir province on the Pakistan-Afghan border.

In this Monday, Feb. 20, 2012 photo, Pakistani Army soldiers with the 20th Lancers Armored Regiment, shout 'long live Pakistan' before returning to their outpost. Kalpani is on the front line in the 10-year war against militant Islamists, a war which allies Pakistan with the U.S. and NATO in an uneasy, distrustful partnership. Pakistan feels scapegoated for the coalition's failures in Afghanistan

In this Friday, Feb. 17, 2012 photo, a Pakistani Army soldier with the 20th Lancers Armored Regiment, patrols near his outpost, Kalpani Base, in Pakistan's Dir province on the Pakistan-Afghan border.

 

In this Sunday, Feb. 19, 2012 photo, Pakistani Army soldiers with the 20th Lancers Armored Regiment, carry supplies up the 8000-foot mountain near their outpost, Kalpani Base, in Pakistan's Dir province on the Pakistan-Afghan border.

Pakistani Army soldiers with the 20th Lancers Armored Regiment, pray before starting a patrol from their outpost Kalpani Base. Pakistan feels scapegoated for the coalition's failures in Afghanistan. At the same time it's accused of playing a double game, fighting the militants it chooses to fight while giving others safe havens and logistical support for their actions in Afghanistan.

In this Monday, Feb. 20, 2012 photo, Pakistani Army radio operator Asef Imran, with the 20th Lancers Armored Regiment, maintains the radio station at the Kalpani Base atop an 8000-foot mountain in Pakistan's Dir province on the Pakistan-Afghan border.

In this Monday, Feb. 20, 2012 photo, Pakistani Army soldiers with the 20th Lancers Armored Regiment melt snow for drinking water at the Kalpani Base atop an 8000-foot mountain in Pakistan's Dir province on the Pakistan-Afghan border. Kalpani is on the front line in the 10-year war against militant Islamists, a war which allies Pakistan with the U.S. and NATO in an uneasy, distrustful partnership.

In this Friday, Feb. 17, 2012 photo, a Pakistani Army soldier with the 20th Lancers Armored Regiment stands atop the 8000-foot mountain during a patrol near his outpost, Kalpani Base, in Pakistan's Dir province on the Pakistan-Afghan border.

In this Saturday, Feb. 18, 2012 photo, a Pakistani Army soldier with the 20th Lancers Armored Regiment stands guard atop the 8000-foot mountain at his outpost, Kalpani Base, in Pakistan's Dir province on the Pakistan-Afghan border.

 

Pakistani Army soldiers with the 20th Lancers Armored Regiment carry supplies up the 8000-foot mountain near their outpost, Kalpani Base, in Pakistan's Dir province on the Pakistan-Afghan border. Kalpani is on the front line in the 10-year war against militant Islamists, a war which allies Pakistan with the U.S. and NATO in an uneasy, distrustful partnership.

In this Saturday, Feb. 18, 2012 photo, a Pakistani Army soldier with the 20th Lancers Armored Regiment, carries chicken for their dinner atop the 8000-foot mountain near their outpost, Kalpani Base, in Pakistan's Dir province on the Pakistan-Afghan border

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