Pigeons in Afghanistan -are we missing a trick here?

Question

I saw the recent TV programme showing our British troops working in Helmond Afganistan (if I got that right). At one point in the programme, they commented on some pigeons nearby which were being kept by some of the locals, and one soldier said with a smile, 'they keep pigeons here -I dont know why but they do!'
What!! I couldnt believe what I heard. I dont know if anyone else noticed, but potentially thats a very serious breach of security. Its one of the oldest ticks in the book that homing pigeons are used to pass on secret messages right under the 'enemies' noses. It needs no hi-tech equipment and all it takes is one undercover rebel to be able to access the birds and hey presto the rebels have a good communications system, which they can operate from any ambush spot or hidey hole anywhere. Should this be allowed? Has anyone suggested it to our lads yet -or is it just accepted as a calculated risk? Be interested to know your thoughts...

Answer 1

Ignore the sarcasm of other answers, you are making a valid point. High tech isn't the Afghan way and pigeon post is a very reasonable assumption.



Pigeon keeping,, alongside kite flying is 'huge' in that part of Asia and would be a perfectly good cover for covert messaging.

Answer 2

properly afghanistan is a hell hollow. i individually grew to become into in iraq. it grew to become into no longer as undesirable yet nonetheless no longer that super. can no longer say i miss it. yet finding decrease back i remember greater of the sturdy circumstances than the undesirable ones. if your chum additionally left the provider presently after returning. then there is the impediment. he probable has some separation rigidity and misses the army. you're making acquaintances and make bonds. and learn a diverse ligo. you do it long adequate and it will become area of you. yet additionally if he observed an excellent style of action over there then it rather is likewise a clue. people who circulate threw annoying activities... warfare... airplane crashes.... relatives tenting journeys... are frequently introduced at the same time with the help of tragedy. he's probable lacking the different persons he could desire to communicate with approximately those issues. do no longer subject. it rather is customary. it is going to fade in time. OR he might circulate decrease back into the army to fill that elect back... like i did.

Answer 3

In other countries like Egypt, Iran, Irag, and Afghanistan and poorer countries pigeons are bread for food. When I was in Egypt they had big mud hunts with hundreds of pigeons in. And the local people eat them.

Answer 4

Especially if they are talking pigeons. They go back and repeat what they have heard.

Answer 5

I know!



And all those Afghanis who play tennis!



Those rackets are dangerous, and should be confiscated. How dare those people try to maintain a half-way decent life while the U.S. and Britain are occupying them.



Someone should say something to the S.S. -- oops -- I mean "our boys."

Answer 6

i hope you are joking,,,really!