In many parts of Afghanistan, living near the border brings advantages.
Villagers can earn money from the cross-border trade as merchants or as carriers. Even the poor can eke out a living along the highway, filling in potholes with sand in return for small change thrown by passing truck drivers.
For eight years since the US-aided toppling of the Taliban, the residents of the Qala-i-Zal district of Konduz Province have relied on Afghan government forces for security.
Until recently, that seemed enough.
But beginning some 18 months ago, the Taliban began returning to this area of northern Afghanistan in force.
