Luttrell finds himself in the Afghan village of Sabray under the protection of Gulab, a local policeman. There is a contest of wills between the courageous Gulab and the ambitious Taliban officer, Commodore Abdul. Abdul’s demands for Luttrell’s surrender amplify the existing tension within the village and contrast with Gulab’s communal loyalty and courage.

Gulab’s decision to shield Luttrell transcends bravery; it symbolizes a collective ethic deeply rooted in Pashtun culture. The policeman refuses material compensation from Luttrell. Luttrell considers offering his watch—a gesture that seems trivial in the context of a society that prizes community and family bonds over material wealth. Gulab upholds the Pashtunwali code of ethics, specifically the tenet of “lokhay,” which requires offering sanctuary to a guest, even at great personal risk.

American airpower suddenly targets Taliban positions near Sabray. Although the bombings signify potential rescue, they also wreak havoc on the village. Luttrell grapples with the guilt of endangering the very people saving him, confronting the ethical paradox that often emerges in conflict zones. Gulab’s comforting words—that the battle against the Taliban is everyone’s fight—don’t entirely absolve Luttrell but do underline the complex relationship between local populations and foreign soldiers.