The only female warlord in Afghanistan, Bibi Ayesha controls a force of 50-150 men in the Narin district of Baghlan Province.[1] She shares her name with the 7th-century wife of the Prophet Muhammad, Aysha, daughter of Abu Bakr who later on lead a war against Ali, the 4th Caliph, the first Shia imam and the son-in-law of the Prophet.
Also known as Kaftar ("The Pigeon"), she operated for at least two decades, fighting against the Soviet invasion and the Taliban takeover.[1]
She dismissed notions that the roles of women in Afghanistan should exclude military roles, saying "It makes no difference if you are a man or a woman when you have the heart of a fighter." [1]
However, she does insist that a mahram male relative, accompany her into battle.[1]