alipur won't let us come to where he normally hides out.man by both the taliban and the government. so he ahs agreed to meet us here at this very remote and extraordinary beautiful mountainous area at the very center of afghanistan. the intense security surrounding him is reflection of this fracturing war. as each group entrenches, men like him have many enemies. his followers say they are providing a service to the community that the government simply doesn't, without security, people cannot live decent lives. >> ( translated ): at one point even schools had to close here. and people didn't have the ability to get on with dly life. with alipur's movement our people now live in security and they can return to school, boys and girls, men and women. >> reporter: they were keen to show us those schools, alipur himself giving us a tour. here on this snowy mountain top, a remarkable site-- boys and girls sitting side by side taking extra classes in calculus, as state schools close for winter break. but the reality is, this is no the image of afg

jane: now, he says, the immediate area is safer because of alipur and his men. >> alipur's presence isod for the people who are using this road. he is doing a good job. before he came, people were arrested by the taliban who were from this area, because there was no one to protect them, even the government didn't care. jane: despite the peace talks, the realities on the ground of entrenched fighting, and a rapid u.s. withdrawal, leave few here like him confident the next generation will inherit a nation at peace. >> i hope so, but i'm not optimistic. we might have peace one day, but not soon. if fighting breaks out, i won't paicipate. for the last 35 years, i've never touched a weapon. i'm not a violent person. i just want to live as ordinary a life as i can. i just want a simple life. jane: that's a sentiment echoed across this country, by the millions who aren't armed, who are exhausted from war, asking for only a peaceful, dignified life. yet, as fear sets in that the balance of power is being upended with a u.s. exit, strong men many call warlords may inherit some of that power onc