When the Soviet army withdrew from Afghanistan last February, the regime in Kabul was expected to fall to the Afghan rebels within weeks. But, ten months later, victory in the Holy War against the Communists has degenerated into civil war and bitter recriminations among the Western-backed rebels. For seven months, Panorama camera teams have accompanied the guerrillas as they have fought for a country depopulated and devastated by war.

John Simpson reports from both sides of the lines from the battlefronts of Kabul, Jalalabad and Khandahar. He uncovers how the failures of American intelligence and the jealousies between the rival commanders have thrown away the hopes of victory.