Pader Watan

Last updated
Pader-Watan
پدر وطن
Leaders Ismatullah Muslim
Dates of operation1983–1992 (Approximately)
Motives
Active regionsAll of Afghanistan (Especially Balkh, Kandahar and Baghlan Provinces)
Ideology Islamism (Some factions)
Communism
Sovietism
Size100,000+
AlliesFlag of the Soviet Union.svg  Soviet Union

Flag of Afghanistan (1978-1980).svg Flag of Afghanistan (1987-1992).svg DR Afghanistan

OpponentsFlag of Jihad.svg Afghan Mujahideen
Flag of Afghan Interim Government in exile (1988-1992).svg
Afghan Interim Government (from 1988)
Flag of Pakistan.svg  Pakistan
Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China
Battles and wars Soviet–Afghan War
Afghan Civil War (1989-1992)

The Pader Watan were local counter-guerrilla organizations employed by the Soviet Union and their ally the Democratic Republic of Afghanistan (DRA). The first Pader Watan unit appeared in 1983, it is unclear if they were active before this.

Contents

Organization

The Pader Watan consisted of former mujahideen who defected to the DRA to form paramilitary units. The Pader Watan units assisted the Soviets by guarding key points along highways, and also providing protection to Soviet-DRA convoys, and watching out for night attacks, and infiltration by Mujahideen. They were referred to derisively as "Traitors in Turbans". [1]

See also

References

  1. J. Bruce Amstutz. Afghanistan: The First Five Years of Soviet Occupation. DIANE Publishing, 1994. ISBN   0-7881-1111-6, ISBN   978-0-7881-1111-2. Pg 186, 292.