The Road to Afghanistan - George Washington University

nothing to do with the murder of Khyber. They say that criminals did it.” He paused withsignificance, then whispered under his breath, “it was Amin’s order. Typical, classicalprovocation meant to rock the boat.”“If that is the case, then everything is unfolding in accordance with his vision.”Just then, as if to confirm their words, they were invited to the room in which asession of the Military Revolutionary Council was about to begin. Hafizullah Amin, as askillful military leader, was issuing orders to pilots, officers of the special forces, andmembers of tank crews. The general secretary of the party, Taraki, looked upon his studentwith adoration. He whispered to Karmal, “You and I should take charge of the uprising’spolitical leadership. Leave all of the dirty work to the military and Comrade Amin.”Radio Afghanistan stopped its broadcasting at approximately 11 a.m., when thebuilding in which it was located was surrounded by tanks. The officers who captured theradio facility ordered all technicians and staff to stay at their work places, but forbade anyfurther transmissions. Broadcasting was only resumed after the thunderstorm that hadraged in the afternoon abated, though not a single word describing the day’s events wasuttered. The radio broadcast only the steady ticking of a metronome, military marches, andcheerful, patriotic songs sung in Pashto.At 7 p.m. one of those military marches was abruptly interrupted. The sounds ofphysical movement near the microphone, the rustle of papers, and indistinct whispersfilled the air. Hafizullah Amin was the first to speak, and announced the transfer of powerto the Military Council. He then gave the floor to Watanjar and Abdul Qadir.“This is me, Colonel Abdul Qadir, chairman of the Military Revolutionary Council,speaking.” Later in his short speech, Qadir proclaimed that the national and progressive83