The Leopard’s Daughter A Pukhtun Story

David Raeburn Finn read a BA (Hons) in Philosophy and Psychology at Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario. Subsequently he read a PhD supported by a Canada Council Post Doctoral Fellowship at the University of London, UK. At one point he imagined he might pursue medicine. Though he completed the task of castrating a lab rat in a neurophysiology course, the experience taught him of his aversion to cutting, a fatal flaw for a physician. He has taught, operated small private businesses in construction and importing, and worked with a Vancouver hedge fund management firm. He is retired, even if not from golf.

You've read about the Afghan war. You're curious, not about America's motives, but about the enemies it has fought. Didn't they understand America's might? The United States and its allies have made war against Pashtuns/Pukhtuns in Afghanistan and Pakistan for twenty years. Now, in 2021, what had been clear to Pashtuns since 2001 has been acknowledged by the US: the US and its allies have lost. The Leopard's Daughter, A Pukhtun Story speaks in two voices: that of a Denver Special Forces medic of Pashtun descent, and that of Pashtuns of Afghanistan and Pakistan.


Synopsis: The Leopard's Daughter: A Pukhtun Story


Mohammed, a skilled, poltically naïve Denver surgeon of Pashtun descent joins US Special Forces as a front line medic at a secret base in Kunar, Afghanistan. His Muslim faith and background already have him on a secret CIA watch list dubbed OWL (Others Watch List). Alerted by OWL, his Afghan base commander's suspicions become deranged as Mohammed converses and prays with, then physically defends Afghan civilian villagers against murderous company soldiers.


Mohammed survives a cross border ambush unaware it targetted him. A passing Pashtun family is swept up and fights alongside him. His surgery saves Shahay, a knife wielding widow of the family who's finished two ambushers before suffering an arterial slash. Shahay's brother invites Mohammed to their Bajaur home to oversee her recovery.


Welcomed as an esteemed guest, he is drawn to her and her family. His visit unknowingly sets in motion a CIA private contractor operation aimed at discovering Mohammed's true allegiance. The operatives' task, to discover Mohammed's motives, brings horror to her family and gruesome deaths to Bajaur. The deaths will not be forgiven ...