Rug hunters risk death in search for Afghanistan`s last antique carpets
(WorldNews Asia)

In his quest to track down the last of Afghanistan`s antique rugs, Chari Allahqul has weathered high-country blizzards, suffered beatings from armed robbers, and skirted fighting with insurgents. Often on horseback with donkeys in tow, he travels deep into the jagged badlands of northern Afghanistan searching for hand-woven carpets made by the country`s nomadic tribes. "The roads are dangerous, full of wolves and full of enemies. We have to spend nights in the forests or in the desert," explained Mr Allahqul, who travels with a hardy Afghan sheepdog to keep him safe while he sleeps. Rug hunters can spend weeks – if not months – passing through villages like sleuths along old...