Ahmad Shah Massoud

Full Name: Ahmad Shah Massoud, often called the "Lion of Panjshir
Profession: Military Commander and Politician

Nationality:

Biography: Ahmad Shah Massoud was an Afghan military commander and politician. He was a powerful figure in the resistance against the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan in the 1980s, and later became the Minister of Defense after the Soviet withdrawal.

Massoud was the second of seven children. His father was a government official and his mother was a homemaker. Massoud grew up in Kabul and attended the Lycée Esteqlal, a prestigious high school. He later studied engineering at Kabul University.

In 1978, Massoud joined the Afghan resistance against the communist People's Democratic Party of Afghanistan. He quickly rose through the ranks, becoming a commander of the Panjshir Valley resistance.

Massoud's forces were instrumental in driving the Soviet Army out of Afghanistan in 1989. After the Soviet withdrawal, Massoud became the Minister of Defense in the Afghan government. He continued to fight against the Taliban, who had taken control of much of Afghanistan by the mid-1990s.

In 2001, Massoud was assassinated by two suicide bombers posing as journalists. His death occurred just two days before the September 11th attacks in the United States.

Born: September 2, 1953
Birthplace: Bazarak, Panjshir, Afghanistan

Generation: Baby Boomer
Chinese Zodiac: Snake
Star Sign: Virgo

Died: September 9, 2001 (aged 48)
Cause of Death: Assassinated in northeastern Afghanistan by al Qaeda-linked suicide bombers disguised as journalists