The Tragic Night of Dr. Najibullah’s Execution: A Driver’s Firsthand Account

Kokcha News Agency: Khan Aqa, a driver at the United Nations office in Kabul, shared a chilling and detailed account of the night Dr. Najibullah, Afghanistan’s former president, was captured and executed by the Taliban. His story, recounted in Jabal Saraj on October 31, 1996, offers a firsthand glimpse into the tragic events that unfolded on that fateful night.

Life in the UN Compound

Dr. Najibullah, who had been living in the UN compound in Kabul since 1992, led a secluded life. According to Khan Aqa, Najibullah spent his days sleeping and his nights watching foreign TV channels via satellite, which was accessible in the compound. Despite his isolation, Najibullah maintained contact with the outside world through letters delivered by his relatives, including a man named Sattar, believed to be his uncle.

Sattar and other relatives visited Najibullah regularly, especially on Thursdays and Fridays. They had special permits from the Ministry of Security, allowing them to enter the compound even on holidays. Najibullah’s brother, Ahmadzai, also visited him several times from Delhi, but his last visit ended in tragedy.

The Final Meeting

On the afternoon of September 26, 1996, Dr. Najibullah asked Khan Aqa to summon Sattar and other relatives for a final meeting. He told Sattar, “We only have this night to talk. Tomorrow, I will likely go to Delhi.”

Sattar and several relatives arrived at the UN compound that evening. Dr. Najibullah appeared calm and even cheerful, despite the looming threat. He revealed that Ahmad Shah Massoud, through his security minister Fahim, had offered him safe passage to Panjshir. Najibullah declined, stating, “I have spent five years as a prisoner in this UN compound. I don’t want to spend more years as a prisoner in Panjshir.”

The Taliban Arrive

As the night progressed, Sattar grew increasingly anxious, wondering why the Taliban had not yet arrived. Around 2 AM, a Taliban vehicle entered the compound. Three men, one clean-shaven, emerged and demanded Dr. Najibullah accompany them to meet the “head of state” at the Arg (Presidential Palace).

Najibullah protested, insisting that he would go to the Arg the next morning in daylight. However, the Taliban refused, and their tone grew increasingly aggressive. Despite his and Sattar’s pleas, Najibullah was forced into the vehicle. Two armed Taliban fighters sat on either side of him.

Najibullah’s brother, Ahmadzai, and his aide, Jeffsar, were also taken. Khan Aqa followed the vehicle but was stopped at a checkpoint near the Ariana intersection. One of the Taliban fighters ejected Ahmadzai and Jeffsar from the vehicle, hurling insults at them. The two men returned to the UN compound, while Najibullah was driven away.

The Aftermath

By dawn, Khan Aqa learned that Dr. Najibullah’s body had been hanged in public. Ahmadzai was later taken by the Taliban and executed as well. Sattar, horrified by the events, disappeared from the compound.

Jeffsar and Tohki, Najibullah’s press officer, managed to escape through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. They eventually fled to Peshawar, where they sought refuge at the UN office in Islamabad.

A Nation in Shock

The public execution of Dr. Najibullah sent shockwaves through Afghanistan and the international community. It marked a brutal end to the life of a man who had once led the country but had become a symbol of the complex and often tragic history of Afghanistan.

Khan Aqa’s account provides a deeply personal and emotional perspective on the events of that night, shedding light on the human cost of political turmoil and the fragility of life in a war-torn nation.

Author: Mohammad Ekram Andishmand