Mohammed Asif Safi
Encyclopedia
General Mohammed Asif Safi (1923 — July 26, 2010) (Pashto:تور نجنرال اركا نحرب محمد آصف صافي) was an Army General
in the Afghan National Army
during King Zahir Shah's rule in Afghanistan
, and later during the 1970s era of President Mohammed Daoud Khan
. General Asif Khan was supporter of a strong and unified military
made up of all the ethnic groups in Afghanistan.
for higher education, and attended an Army Institute in the city of Ambala
. In 1955, he went to Turkey
where he obtained a Master Degree with highest honor. In 1959, he went to Turkey
for second time to obtain a Doctorate Degree (Pashto:أركانارب Arkaan e Arb). He attended the Turkish War Colleges Command (Turkish: Harp Akademileri Komutanlığı), which is the same Army Institute attended by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk
and many other world known Turkish and International army officers.
. He always dedicated his service to Afghanistan's people and security. In 1962, Asif Khan was appointed as Commander
for Officer’s University of Heytyaat. In 1967, he was appoint as Commander and Professor
at Officer’s Higher University (Dari
: Course of Haa, Haa being short for Haali = Higher). During this time hundreds of Army Officers were trained under him, and he established himself a unique position in Afghan Army. He was considered one of the most educated and influential Officer in the Army. Based on his qualification and the respect that he earned in Army, Asif Khan was promoted to the rank of General
in 1970.
In 1973, General Asif Khan was appointed as the Commander
of Air Defense at Qala-i-Jangi of Kabul
Province. In 1974, he was appointed as the Director of Army’s Ministry of Education (Pashto: Taleem-O-Tarbia). In 1975, he was appointed as the Commander of Army’s 12th Infantry
in Gardēz (Persian
: گردیز, Pashto: ګردېز), the capital of Paktiā province of Afghanistan. In 1976, he was appointed as the Commander
of Army’s 20th Infantry
in Nahrin
, a town in Baghlan
Province of north-eastern Afghanistan. Also during this year he was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant General
(Pashto; توران جنرال Tooran General).
was in Italy, his cousin and former Prime Minister
Mohammed Daoud Khan staged a coup d'état
and established a Republican Government with himself as President
. During this time, General Asif Khan was forced out of Army since he did not assisted Daoud Khan in his coup. Eventually President Daoud Khan met with General Asif Khan and acknowledge his service for Afghanistan
and not for the King Zahir or Monarchy
. President Daoud Khan re-appointed General Asif Khan to the Army and promoted him to higher position later on.
In 1973 short after Daoud Khan's rise to Presidency, a coup attempt, which may have been planned before Daoud Khan took power, was subdued shortly after his Presidency. Former Prime Minister
Mohammad Hashim Maiwandwal
(Pashto: محمد هاشم میوندوال ) was arrested in this plot. Whether Maiwandwal was in on the plot from the start is open to question. This led to the arrest of Mohammad Hashim Maiwandwal
and 20 others, including General Mohammed Asif Safi. General Asif Khan was jailed for two weeks and later on released. President Daoud Khan personally apologized to General Asif Khan for the arrest and for forcing him out of the Army. General Asif Khan cautioned and advised President Daoud Khan during this meeting of the threat of rising Communist movement, and specifically named Babrak Karmal
as one of the members of this movement. Maiwandwal was killed by Parcham
(Pashto: پرچم meaning "Banner" or "Flag") wing of the Communist movement (who controlled Interior Ministry) during his custody. General Asif Khan was deeply moved by the assassination of Maiwandwal, who was a prominent figure in Afghanistan’s history
. In General Asif Khan’s personal diaries, he noted former Prime Minister
Mohammad Hashim Maiwandwal
’s assassination as the beginning of Afghanistan's sad history.
On April 19, 1978, PDPA leaders such as Nur Muhammad Taraki
, Hafizullah Amin
and Babrak Karmal
, launched a bloody coup d'état
against President Daoud Khan. Daoud Khan and most of his family were shot in the presidential palace the following day. General Asif Khan was in Nahrin
when he heard the news. He was not able to bring his Infantry
to Kabul
to assist President Daoud Khan. When General Asif Khan returned to Kabul
, he was put under house arrest by the newly Communist regime for a short period of time, and later on forced to an honorable retirement
. This put an end to General Mohammed Asif Safi's Fifty One (51) year of honorable Service to People
and Army
of Afghanistan.
. He has proudly served his whole career to defend the sovereignty
and independence
of Afghan
nation. He was a strong supporter of a powerful and unified Afghan National Army
. General Asif Khan has received numerous Medal of Honor for his excellence in National Service. He has received medals from Marshal
Sardar Shah Wali Khan
Ghazi, King Zahir Shah, President Daoud Khan and etc. General Asif Khan had traveled numerous times on behalf of Defense Ministry to other countries for weapon purchase and signing defense contracts. He had accompanied King Zahir Shah on an official state visit to Russia
in 1967. General Asif Khan was the Security in Charge (Pashto: Yaawar) to many foreign dignitary and heads of state visiting Afghanistan, including Iran
’s Prime Minister
Amir-Abbas Hoveida’s official visit to Afghanistan.
General Asif Khan's biography in honor of his service to Afghanistan has been written in the Defense Ministry even today. His work as leading Instructor of Cours-e- Haa, Air Defense, and for translated numerous military books and articles from Turkish
to Pashto and Dari was recognized even during communist regime of Afghanistan.
twice during President Nur Muhammad Taraki
and Hafizullah Amin
. He was not harmed because Asif Khan was not associated with any political movement of any sort and his life during service was absolute transparent and honest. At the end of 1979 when Babrak Karmal
came to power with it came the Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan. General Asif Khan was very hurt by the invasion of his country which he defended all his life. Asif Khan developed deep medical depression during this time and when he wanted to leave country his passport was denied. General Asif Khan did not want to travel to Pakistan by land. During this period General Asif Khan was invited to many Government sponsored events but Asif Khan denied to attend, except those related to Afghanistan’s military history and culture.
In 1986, when Dr. Mohammad Najibullah
became president some freedom of movement and expression was restored in Afghanistan. However, security was constantly destabilizing during this time. General Asif Khan did attended Loya Jirga
under President Dr. Najibullah but he concluded that the country was moving towards even farther destruction. During the presidency of Dr. Najibullah the Defense Ministry honored General Asif Khan’s service by putting his name and biography officially as the leading Instructor of Cours-e- Haa and Air Defense. Also during this period General Asif Khan was given a Diplomatic passport and all the travel restriction on him were removed. General Asif Khan painfully left his country for India in 1989. He moved to United State in 1997 where he peacefully lived final years of his life. In 2005, General Asif visited Mecca
to fulfill Hajj
and completed pilgrimage at age 81. General Asif khan died of natural causes on July 26th 2009. General Asif Khan’s grave site is located in Sacramento Muslim Cemetery in northern California. General Asif Khan left behind his second wife and twelve children, six daughters and six sons.
Army General
For the army rank of General, as opposed to the specific rank of Army General, see General officer.Army General is a title used in many countries to denote the rank of General nominally commanding an army in the field...
in the Afghan National Army
Afghan National Army
The Afghan National Army is a service branch of the military of Afghanistan, which is currently trained by the coalition forces to ultimately take the role in land-based military operations in Afghanistan. , the Afghan National Army is divided into seven regional Corps. The strength of the Afghan...
during King Zahir Shah's rule in Afghanistan
Afghanistan
Afghanistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, is a landlocked country located in the centre of Asia, forming South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East. With a population of about 29 million, it has an area of , making it the 42nd most populous and 41st largest nation in the world...
, and later during the 1970s era of President Mohammed Daoud Khan
Mohammed Daoud Khan
Sardar Mohammed Daoud Khan or Daud Khan was Prime Minister of Afghanistan from 1953 to 1963 and later becoming the President of Afghanistan...
. General Asif Khan was supporter of a strong and unified military
Military of Afghanistan
The military of Afghanistan is composed of the Afghan National Army and the Afghan National Army Air Force . Being a landlocked country, Afghanistan has no navy, and the private security forces who are sometimes seen wearing military uniforms are not part of Afghanistan's military...
made up of all the ethnic groups in Afghanistan.
Early life and education
General Asif Khan was born in Laghman province of Afghanistan. His father, Mohammed Ayub Khan, was a local Malik of Alikhil district. At age four, Asif Khan attended Afghanistan's National Army school (Pashto: Arbi Shwanzai). In 1944, he graduated from Afghanistan’s National Army University (Pashto: Arbi Pohantoon) with highest honor. In 1945, he went to IndiaIndia
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
for higher education, and attended an Army Institute in the city of Ambala
Ambala
Ambala is a city and a municipal corporation in Ambala district in the state of Haryana, India, located on the border of the states of Haryana and Punjab in India. Politically; Ambala has two sub-areas: Ambala Cantt and Ambala City, approximately 3 kilometers apart from each other...
. In 1955, he went to Turkey
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
where he obtained a Master Degree with highest honor. In 1959, he went to Turkey
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
for second time to obtain a Doctorate Degree (Pashto:أركانارب Arkaan e Arb). He attended the Turkish War Colleges Command (Turkish: Harp Akademileri Komutanlığı), which is the same Army Institute attended by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk
Mustafa Kemal Atatürk
Mustafa Kemal Atatürk was an Ottoman and Turkish army officer, revolutionary statesman, writer, and the first President of Turkey. He is credited with being the founder of the Republic of Turkey....
and many other world known Turkish and International army officers.
Career
Asif Khan did not affiliated with any political movement or party in AfghanistanAfghanistan
Afghanistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, is a landlocked country located in the centre of Asia, forming South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East. With a population of about 29 million, it has an area of , making it the 42nd most populous and 41st largest nation in the world...
. He always dedicated his service to Afghanistan's people and security. In 1962, Asif Khan was appointed as Commander
Commander
Commander is a naval rank which is also sometimes used as a military title depending on the individual customs of a given military service. Commander is also used as a rank or title in some organizations outside of the armed forces, particularly in police and law enforcement.-Commander as a naval...
for Officer’s University of Heytyaat. In 1967, he was appoint as Commander and Professor
Professor
A professor is a scholarly teacher; the precise meaning of the term varies by country. Literally, professor derives from Latin as a "person who professes" being usually an expert in arts or sciences; a teacher of high rank...
at Officer’s Higher University (Dari
Dari (Eastern Persian)
Dari or Fārsī-ye Darī in historical terms refers to the Persian court language of the Sassanids. In contemporary usage, the term refers to the dialects of modern Persian language spoken in Afghanistan, and hence known as Afghan Persian in some Western sources. It is the term officially recognized...
: Course of Haa, Haa being short for Haali = Higher). During this time hundreds of Army Officers were trained under him, and he established himself a unique position in Afghan Army. He was considered one of the most educated and influential Officer in the Army. Based on his qualification and the respect that he earned in Army, Asif Khan was promoted to the rank of General
General
A general officer is an officer of high military rank, usually in the army, and in some nations, the air force. The term is widely used by many nations of the world, and when a country uses a different term, there is an equivalent title given....
in 1970.
In 1973, General Asif Khan was appointed as the Commander
Commander
Commander is a naval rank which is also sometimes used as a military title depending on the individual customs of a given military service. Commander is also used as a rank or title in some organizations outside of the armed forces, particularly in police and law enforcement.-Commander as a naval...
of Air Defense at Qala-i-Jangi of Kabul
Kabul
Kabul , spelt Caubul in some classic literatures, is the capital and largest city of Afghanistan. It is also the capital of the Kabul Province, located in the eastern section of Afghanistan...
Province. In 1974, he was appointed as the Director of Army’s Ministry of Education (Pashto: Taleem-O-Tarbia). In 1975, he was appointed as the Commander of Army’s 12th Infantry
Infantry
Infantrymen are soldiers who are specifically trained for the role of fighting on foot to engage the enemy face to face and have historically borne the brunt of the casualties of combat in wars. As the oldest branch of combat arms, they are the backbone of armies...
in Gardēz (Persian
Dari (Eastern Persian)
Dari or Fārsī-ye Darī in historical terms refers to the Persian court language of the Sassanids. In contemporary usage, the term refers to the dialects of modern Persian language spoken in Afghanistan, and hence known as Afghan Persian in some Western sources. It is the term officially recognized...
: گردیز, Pashto: ګردېز), the capital of Paktiā province of Afghanistan. In 1976, he was appointed as the Commander
Commander
Commander is a naval rank which is also sometimes used as a military title depending on the individual customs of a given military service. Commander is also used as a rank or title in some organizations outside of the armed forces, particularly in police and law enforcement.-Commander as a naval...
of Army’s 20th Infantry
Infantry
Infantrymen are soldiers who are specifically trained for the role of fighting on foot to engage the enemy face to face and have historically borne the brunt of the casualties of combat in wars. As the oldest branch of combat arms, they are the backbone of armies...
in Nahrin
Nahrin
Nahrin is a town in Baghlan Province in north-eastern Afghanistan.It is the capital of Nahrin District.-External links:**...
, a town in Baghlan
Baghlan
Baghlan is a city in northern Afghanistan, in the eponymous province, Baghlan Province. It is located three miles east of the Kunduz River, 35 miles south of Khanabad, and about 1,700 metres above sea level in the northern Hindu Kush...
Province of north-eastern Afghanistan. Also during this year he was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant General
Lieutenant General
Lieutenant General is a military rank used in many countries. The rank traces its origins to the Middle Ages where the title of Lieutenant General was held by the second in command on the battlefield, who was normally subordinate to a Captain General....
(Pashto; توران جنرال Tooran General).
Political turmoil of afghanistan
In 1973, while Mohammed Zahir ShahMohammed Zahir Shah
Mohammed Zahir Shah was the last King of Afghanistan, reigning for four decades, from 1933 until he was ousted by a coup in 1973...
was in Italy, his cousin and former Prime Minister
Prime minister
A prime minister is the most senior minister of cabinet in the executive branch of government in a parliamentary system. In many systems, the prime minister selects and may dismiss other members of the cabinet, and allocates posts to members within the government. In most systems, the prime...
Mohammed Daoud Khan staged a coup d'état
Coup d'état
A coup d'état state, literally: strike/blow of state)—also known as a coup, putsch, and overthrow—is the sudden, extrajudicial deposition of a government, usually by a small group of the existing state establishment—typically the military—to replace the deposed government with another body; either...
and established a Republican Government with himself as President
President
A president is a leader of an organization, company, trade union, university, or country.Etymologically, a president is one who presides, who sits in leadership...
. During this time, General Asif Khan was forced out of Army since he did not assisted Daoud Khan in his coup. Eventually President Daoud Khan met with General Asif Khan and acknowledge his service for Afghanistan
Afghanistan
Afghanistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, is a landlocked country located in the centre of Asia, forming South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East. With a population of about 29 million, it has an area of , making it the 42nd most populous and 41st largest nation in the world...
and not for the King Zahir or Monarchy
Monarchy
A monarchy is a form of government in which the office of head of state is usually held until death or abdication and is often hereditary and includes a royal house. In some cases, the monarch is elected...
. President Daoud Khan re-appointed General Asif Khan to the Army and promoted him to higher position later on.
In 1973 short after Daoud Khan's rise to Presidency, a coup attempt, which may have been planned before Daoud Khan took power, was subdued shortly after his Presidency. Former Prime Minister
Prime minister
A prime minister is the most senior minister of cabinet in the executive branch of government in a parliamentary system. In many systems, the prime minister selects and may dismiss other members of the cabinet, and allocates posts to members within the government. In most systems, the prime...
Mohammad Hashim Maiwandwal
Mohammad Hashim Maiwandwal
Mohammad Hashim Maiwandwal was an Afghan politician during the reign of Zahir Shah.-Biography:After graduating from high school, Mohammad Hashim became a journalist, editing several newspapers...
(Pashto: محمد هاشم میوندوال ) was arrested in this plot. Whether Maiwandwal was in on the plot from the start is open to question. This led to the arrest of Mohammad Hashim Maiwandwal
Mohammad Hashim Maiwandwal
Mohammad Hashim Maiwandwal was an Afghan politician during the reign of Zahir Shah.-Biography:After graduating from high school, Mohammad Hashim became a journalist, editing several newspapers...
and 20 others, including General Mohammed Asif Safi. General Asif Khan was jailed for two weeks and later on released. President Daoud Khan personally apologized to General Asif Khan for the arrest and for forcing him out of the Army. General Asif Khan cautioned and advised President Daoud Khan during this meeting of the threat of rising Communist movement, and specifically named Babrak Karmal
Babrak Karmal
Babrak Karmal was the third President of Afghanistan during the period of the communist Democratic Republic of Afghanistan. He is the best known of the Marxist leadership....
as one of the members of this movement. Maiwandwal was killed by Parcham
Parcham
Parcham was the name of one of the factions of the People's Democratic Party of Afghanistan. The Parcham faction seized power in the country after toppling Hafizullah Amin....
(Pashto: پرچم meaning "Banner" or "Flag") wing of the Communist movement (who controlled Interior Ministry) during his custody. General Asif Khan was deeply moved by the assassination of Maiwandwal, who was a prominent figure in Afghanistan’s history
History
History is the discovery, collection, organization, and presentation of information about past events. History can also mean the period of time after writing was invented. Scholars who write about history are called historians...
. In General Asif Khan’s personal diaries, he noted former Prime Minister
Prime minister
A prime minister is the most senior minister of cabinet in the executive branch of government in a parliamentary system. In many systems, the prime minister selects and may dismiss other members of the cabinet, and allocates posts to members within the government. In most systems, the prime...
Mohammad Hashim Maiwandwal
Mohammad Hashim Maiwandwal
Mohammad Hashim Maiwandwal was an Afghan politician during the reign of Zahir Shah.-Biography:After graduating from high school, Mohammad Hashim became a journalist, editing several newspapers...
’s assassination as the beginning of Afghanistan's sad history.
On April 19, 1978, PDPA leaders such as Nur Muhammad Taraki
Nur Muhammad Taraki
Nur Muhammad Taraki was an Afghan politician and statesman during the Cold War. Taraki was born near Kabul and educated at Kabul University, after which he started his political career as a journalist...
, Hafizullah Amin
Hafizullah Amin
Hafizullah Amin was the second President of Afghanistan during the period of the communist Democratic Republic of Afghanistan....
and Babrak Karmal
Babrak Karmal
Babrak Karmal was the third President of Afghanistan during the period of the communist Democratic Republic of Afghanistan. He is the best known of the Marxist leadership....
, launched a bloody coup d'état
Coup d'état
A coup d'état state, literally: strike/blow of state)—also known as a coup, putsch, and overthrow—is the sudden, extrajudicial deposition of a government, usually by a small group of the existing state establishment—typically the military—to replace the deposed government with another body; either...
against President Daoud Khan. Daoud Khan and most of his family were shot in the presidential palace the following day. General Asif Khan was in Nahrin
Nahrin
Nahrin is a town in Baghlan Province in north-eastern Afghanistan.It is the capital of Nahrin District.-External links:**...
when he heard the news. He was not able to bring his Infantry
Infantry
Infantrymen are soldiers who are specifically trained for the role of fighting on foot to engage the enemy face to face and have historically borne the brunt of the casualties of combat in wars. As the oldest branch of combat arms, they are the backbone of armies...
to Kabul
Kabul
Kabul , spelt Caubul in some classic literatures, is the capital and largest city of Afghanistan. It is also the capital of the Kabul Province, located in the eastern section of Afghanistan...
to assist President Daoud Khan. When General Asif Khan returned to Kabul
Kabul
Kabul , spelt Caubul in some classic literatures, is the capital and largest city of Afghanistan. It is also the capital of the Kabul Province, located in the eastern section of Afghanistan...
, he was put under house arrest by the newly Communist regime for a short period of time, and later on forced to an honorable retirement
Retirement
Retirement is the point where a person stops employment completely. A person may also semi-retire by reducing work hours.Many people choose to retire when they are eligible for private or public pension benefits, although some are forced to retire when physical conditions don't allow the person to...
. This put an end to General Mohammed Asif Safi's Fifty One (51) year of honorable Service to People
People
People is a plurality of human beings or other beings possessing enough qualities constituting personhood. It has two usages:* as the plural of person or a group of people People is a plurality of human beings or other beings possessing enough qualities constituting personhood. It has two usages:*...
and Army
Army
An army An army An army (from Latin arma "arms, weapons" via Old French armée, "armed" (feminine), in the broadest sense, is the land-based military of a nation or state. It may also include other branches of the military such as the air force via means of aviation corps...
of Afghanistan.
Achievements and contributions
General Asif Khan was a true soldier of free AfghanistanAfghanistan
Afghanistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, is a landlocked country located in the centre of Asia, forming South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East. With a population of about 29 million, it has an area of , making it the 42nd most populous and 41st largest nation in the world...
. He has proudly served his whole career to defend the sovereignty
Sovereignty
Sovereignty is the quality of having supreme, independent authority over a geographic area, such as a territory. It can be found in a power to rule and make law that rests on a political fact for which no purely legal explanation can be provided...
and independence
Independence
Independence is a condition of a nation, country, or state in which its residents and population, or some portion thereof, exercise self-government, and usually sovereignty, over its territory....
of Afghan
Afghanistan
Afghanistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, is a landlocked country located in the centre of Asia, forming South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East. With a population of about 29 million, it has an area of , making it the 42nd most populous and 41st largest nation in the world...
nation. He was a strong supporter of a powerful and unified Afghan National Army
Afghan National Army
The Afghan National Army is a service branch of the military of Afghanistan, which is currently trained by the coalition forces to ultimately take the role in land-based military operations in Afghanistan. , the Afghan National Army is divided into seven regional Corps. The strength of the Afghan...
. General Asif Khan has received numerous Medal of Honor for his excellence in National Service. He has received medals from Marshal
Marshal
Marshal , is a word used in several official titles of various branches of society. The word is an ancient loan word from Old French, cf...
Sardar Shah Wali Khan
Sardar Shah Wali Khan
Sardar Shah Wali Khan also known as Field Marshal Sardar Shah Wali Khan Ghazi was a political and military figure in Afghanistan. He was one of the uncles of King Mohammad Zahir Shah and President Mohammed Daoud Khan...
Ghazi, King Zahir Shah, President Daoud Khan and etc. General Asif Khan had traveled numerous times on behalf of Defense Ministry to other countries for weapon purchase and signing defense contracts. He had accompanied King Zahir Shah on an official state visit to Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
in 1967. General Asif Khan was the Security in Charge (Pashto: Yaawar) to many foreign dignitary and heads of state visiting Afghanistan, including Iran
Iran
Iran , officially the Islamic Republic of Iran , is a country in Southern and Western Asia. The name "Iran" has been in use natively since the Sassanian era and came into use internationally in 1935, before which the country was known to the Western world as Persia...
’s Prime Minister
Prime minister
A prime minister is the most senior minister of cabinet in the executive branch of government in a parliamentary system. In many systems, the prime minister selects and may dismiss other members of the cabinet, and allocates posts to members within the government. In most systems, the prime...
Amir-Abbas Hoveida’s official visit to Afghanistan.
General Asif Khan's biography in honor of his service to Afghanistan has been written in the Defense Ministry even today. His work as leading Instructor of Cours-e- Haa, Air Defense, and for translated numerous military books and articles from Turkish
Turkish language
Turkish is a language spoken as a native language by over 83 million people worldwide, making it the most commonly spoken of the Turkic languages. Its speakers are located predominantly in Turkey and Northern Cyprus with smaller groups in Iraq, Greece, Bulgaria, the Republic of Macedonia, Kosovo,...
to Pashto and Dari was recognized even during communist regime of Afghanistan.
Post Service Life
During the communist regime many prominent former military Officers were assassinated or forced to flee Afghanistan. General Asif Khan was put under house arrestHouse arrest
In justice and law, house arrest is a measure by which a person is confined by the authorities to his or her residence. Travel is usually restricted, if allowed at all...
twice during President Nur Muhammad Taraki
Nur Muhammad Taraki
Nur Muhammad Taraki was an Afghan politician and statesman during the Cold War. Taraki was born near Kabul and educated at Kabul University, after which he started his political career as a journalist...
and Hafizullah Amin
Hafizullah Amin
Hafizullah Amin was the second President of Afghanistan during the period of the communist Democratic Republic of Afghanistan....
. He was not harmed because Asif Khan was not associated with any political movement of any sort and his life during service was absolute transparent and honest. At the end of 1979 when Babrak Karmal
Babrak Karmal
Babrak Karmal was the third President of Afghanistan during the period of the communist Democratic Republic of Afghanistan. He is the best known of the Marxist leadership....
came to power with it came the Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan. General Asif Khan was very hurt by the invasion of his country which he defended all his life. Asif Khan developed deep medical depression during this time and when he wanted to leave country his passport was denied. General Asif Khan did not want to travel to Pakistan by land. During this period General Asif Khan was invited to many Government sponsored events but Asif Khan denied to attend, except those related to Afghanistan’s military history and culture.
In 1986, when Dr. Mohammad Najibullah
Mohammad Najibullah
Mohammad Najibullah Ahmadzai , originally merely Najibullah, was the fourth and last President of the Soviet-backed Democratic Republic of Afghanistan. He is also considered the second President of the Republic of Afghanistan.-Early years:Najibullah was born in August 1947 to the Ahmadzai...
became president some freedom of movement and expression was restored in Afghanistan. However, security was constantly destabilizing during this time. General Asif Khan did attended Loya Jirga
Loya jirga
A loya jirga is a type of jirga regarded as "grand assembly," a phrase in the Pashto language meaning "grand council." A loya jirga is a mass meeting usually prepared for major events such as choosing a new king, adopting a constitution, or discussing important national political or emergency...
under President Dr. Najibullah but he concluded that the country was moving towards even farther destruction. During the presidency of Dr. Najibullah the Defense Ministry honored General Asif Khan’s service by putting his name and biography officially as the leading Instructor of Cours-e- Haa and Air Defense. Also during this period General Asif Khan was given a Diplomatic passport and all the travel restriction on him were removed. General Asif Khan painfully left his country for India in 1989. He moved to United State in 1997 where he peacefully lived final years of his life. In 2005, General Asif visited Mecca
Mecca
Mecca is a city in the Hijaz and the capital of Makkah province in Saudi Arabia. The city is located inland from Jeddah in a narrow valley at a height of above sea level...
to fulfill Hajj
Hajj
The Hajj is the pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia. It is one of the largest pilgrimages in the world, and is the fifth pillar of Islam, a religious duty that must be carried out at least once in their lifetime by every able-bodied Muslim who can afford to do so...
and completed pilgrimage at age 81. General Asif khan died of natural causes on July 26th 2009. General Asif Khan’s grave site is located in Sacramento Muslim Cemetery in northern California. General Asif Khan left behind his second wife and twelve children, six daughters and six sons.