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Pader Watan

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Pader-Watan
پدر وطن
LeadersIsmatullah Muslim
Dates of operation1983–1992 (Approximately)
Motives
Active regionsAll of Afghanistan (Especially Balkh, Kandahar and Baghlan Provinces)
IdeologyIslamism (Some factions)
Communism
Sovietism
Size100,000+
Allies Soviet Union

 Democratic Republic of Afghanistan

Opponents Afghan Mujahideen
Afghan Interim Government (from 1988)
Battles and warsSoviet–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.

Organization

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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

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References

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  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.