[8][11] Although the mujahideen quickly captured the Jalalabad Airport and Samarkhel, the former base of the Soviet 66th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade, they were successfully recaptured by the Afghan Armed Forces.

The war was fought between mujahideen guerilla groups (supported by Pakistan, the United States, Saudi Arabia, China, Iran, and other nations) and the Soviet-backed Democratic Republic of Afghanistan.

ISI Director Hamid Gul's stated goal was to establish a mujahideen government in Afghanistan,[11] led by Hezb-e Islami leader Gulbuddin Hekmatyar.

[12][4] Analysts disagree as to whether Pakistan's Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto was kept in the dark about the ISI's plan to overturn Afghanistan[11] or was aware of the attack.

[12] The Americans reportedly were motivated by their wish to humiliate the Marxists and send them out of Afghanistan "clinging to their helicopters" to avenge the fall of South Vietnam.

[25] General Syed Quddus, who wrote a book on his experiences during the battle, additionally claimed that the Pakistan Army shelled the city for 4 months.

The intense rocket and artillery bombardments on Jalalabad, marked by their scale and severity, not only highlighted the actions of the aggressors but also necessitated the creation of underground shelters, commonly referred to as “bunkers.” In response, Jalalabad quickly transformed into a network of bunkers, as local authorities in Nangarhar Province recognised the importance of safeguarding civilians alongside defending the city.

[27] When government troops began to surrender, the attacking forces were soon blocked by the main Afghan Army positions held by the 11th Division, which were protected by bunkers, barbed wire and minefields.

[34] Towards the end of the battle, the ISI-backed Hezb-i-Islami (led by Gulbuddin Hekmatyar) launched an attack Jamiat-e Islami forces in Takhar Province, resulting in the deaths of 36 of Ahmad Shah Massoud’s commanders.

BBC reporter John Simpson, who was temporarily embedded with Jamiat-e Islami, was not allowed to film or be present during the operation to hunt the perpetrators under the orders of Ahmad Shah Massoud.

[35][36] Contrary to American and Pakistani expectations, this battle proved that the Afghan Army could fight without Soviet help, and greatly increased the confidence of government supporters.

After a heavy bombardment and assault that lasted until the end of June, the Afghan Army spearheaded by Dostum's militia, was able to clear the mujahideen entrenchments.

[35] The defense of Jalalabad during the Afghan Civil War marked a turning point for the government against Mujahideen, Pakistani forces and volunteers from Al-Qaeda.

Schools, shops, and mosques reopened, streets filled with activity, and goods became available despite high prices listed as “$12 gasoline, imported cigarettes, cans of Dutch soda and rolls of Chinese toilet paper”.

The Jalalabad Airport was opened in July, which allowed civilians who had fled to Kabul to return by boarding flights with Antonov An-32 aircraft, containing numerous women and children.

Afghan Army personnel deployed to the airport reportedly had to prevent civilians hoping to return to Jalalabad from climbing into the aircraft's rear loading ramp by using their rifle butts.

[36] Massoud was tasked with closing the Salang Pass, but he advised against it, saying the plan was unsound and would risk the lives of his men, therefore refusing to take part.

[42] Haq advocated the pursuit of coordinated guerilla warfare that would gradually weaken the Afghan government and cause its collapse through internal divisions.

"[33] Ahmad Shah Massoud criticized the go-it-alone attitude of Pakistan and their Afghan followers stating: "The damage caused by our (Mujahideen forces) lack of a unified command is obvious.