Yesterday, while cleaning out old files from an ancient external hard drive, I came across a news article I wrote in 2005 about the Kandahar Giant. The article comes after an interview with an alleged pilot who claimed to have flown the creature out of Afghanistan to the U.S.My editor, Angela Mann, at the Sparks Tribute refused to run the story. Yeah, it left me peeved, but looking back now, I understand why she wanted nothing to do with it.
U.S. Forces Report Deadly Encounter with “Giant” in Afghan Mountains
by Tom Darby (TDarby@SparksTrib.net)
U.S. military officials are investigating reports of a fierce firefight in a remote mountainous region of Kandahar Province that allegedly left one American soldier dead and involved an unusually large, unidentified assailant described by some witnesses as a “giant.”
According to preliminary accounts shared with embedded reporters on condition of anonymity, a U.S. Army patrol went missing during routine operations in a rugged valley known for its cave networks and difficult terrain. A quick reaction force, believed to include Special Operations personnel, was dispatched to locate the missing troops.
Sources say the team discovered scattered equipment, spent ammunition, and what appeared to be human remains near the entrance of a large cave. Moments later, a massive humanoid figure reportedly emerged from the darkness.
Witnesses described the being as standing approximately 12 to 15 feet tall, with long reddish hair and a matching beard, wearing what appeared to be primitive clothing or animal hides. One soldier allegedly died when the figure impaled him with a large spear-like weapon before the team returned fire.
“He came out of that cave like something from a nightmare,” said one unnamed service member who spoke briefly with reporters before being ordered to stand down. “We hit him with everything we had, rifles, machine guns, even a .50-cal. It took a long time to bring him down.”
Military spokespersons declined to confirm or deny the specifics of the incident, citing operational security. A Pentagon official in Washington, reached by satellite phone, stated only that “hostile contacts” occur regularly in the region and that all casualties are under investigation.
“Afghanistan is a land of ancient legends and difficult fighting,” said Lt. Col. Jerry O’Hara, a U.S. Army public affairs officer. “Our forces continue to operate against Taliban and al-Qaeda remnants in extremely challenging environments. We mourn any loss of life and remain committed to completing the mission.”
Local Afghan sources in Kandahar offered mixed reactions. Some tribal elders dismissed the story as impossible, as others referenced regional folklore about giant-like beings or “mountain dwellers” said to inhabit remote caves. The Department of Defense has not released photographs or physical evidence.
Military sources say the body of the alleged assailant, if it existed, was removed from the area by helicopter for further examination, though it could not be independently verified. The operation, which took place shortly after a reported firefight on or around May 10, involved CH-47 Chinooks.
Witnesses described the recovery effort in which the giant was secured with cargo netting and straps before being airlifted from the site under tight security. One aviation source familiar with the recovery described the scene: “We’ve hauled everything from downed vehicles to captured enemy equipment, but nothing like this. It took a reinforced sling system and more than one bird to get it clear of the valley. The thing was massive.”
According to soldiers present at the engagement, the being stood between 12 and 15 feet tall, with a powerfully built frame covered in coarse, reddish-orange hair on its head, face, and parts of its body. It had a thick, matted beard that reached midway down its chest.
The creature’s hands and feet each reportedly possessed six digits, and its mouth contained two distinct rows of large, yellowish teeth. Eyewitnesses reported that the being wore animal hides and had a wooden spear with a stone tip.
Its skin was described as tough and leathery, with an overall appearance that one soldier compared to “something out of a nightmare or an old biblical tale.”
The giant allegedly emerged from a large cave system after the team discovered evidence of a missing patrol. It is said to have killed at least one U.S. service member before being brought down under sustained fire from multiple weapons, including 5.56mm rifles and .50-caliber sniper rounds.
Military officials have remained largely silent on the details. When pressed, a Pentagon spokesman would only confirm that coalition forces conducted recovery operations in the area and that “all materials and remains” were removed for analysis at a secure location.
“We do not discuss ongoing intelligence or forensic matters,” the spokesman said. “The safety of our personnel and the integrity of the mission come first.”
Local Afghan officials and tribal leaders offered little comment, while others in the region spoke privately of longstanding stories about “giant mountain dwellers” or cave spirits passed down through generations. Most dismissed any connection to the current incident.
The body is reportedly being studied at an undisclosed U.S. facility, with some sources suggesting that DNA and anthropological analysis are underway. No official photographs or measurements have been released.
This latest development adds to the mystery surrounding the May 10 engagement, which has already sparked intense speculation among troops in the theater about what exactly was encountered in the caves of Kandahar. The Department of Defense continues to investigate the full circumstances of the firefight, the missing patrol, and the identity or nature of the large assailant.
The incident comes amid ongoing efforts by U.S. and coalition forces to secure southern Afghanistan. More than 300 American service members have died in Operation Enduring Freedom since the 2001 invasion, according to official tallies.
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