Osama felt Islam being threatened when the Soviet Union troops invaded Afghanistan. His passion compelled him to take up the Islamic cause. He left Saudi Arabia during the early days of the Soviet invasion in Afghanistan. He went to Pakistan and met members of the Jamaate Islami. He conversed with many war refugees and religious leaders. He already knew many of the leaders owing to the annual Haj gathering. It was during this secret trip that he got an insight into the dark lives of the Afghan Muslims. He vowed to fight. His radicalism was fuelled.

After his month long stay, he returned to his homeland. He got down to collection of funds from all possible sources and tunneled them to the Mujahideen fighters. He extended arms, ammunition and all possible help. He again traveled to Pakistan with a few seasoned Islamic fighters to donate resources. Thus began his financing of the ‘jehad’ (holy war) to protect Islam. He made repeated trips to Pakistan and regularly financed the operations.

Osama bin Laden made his first foray into Afghanistan in 1982. He took with him a lot of construction machinery and handed them to the Mujahideen. Gradually, he began involving himself in actual battles. He slowly grew in popularity among the Mujahideen.

The American intelligence, CIA had a major role in training Osama bin Laden and his like. Concerned by the widening reign of Communism, they actively supported the Taliban against the Soviet troops. The support included supply of Stinger anti-aircraft missiles.