KABUL CITY (PAN): The nation is celebrating the 32nd anniversary of the historic uprising of Kabul residents on Feb, 22, 1980 against Soviet forces.

The rebellion started when thousands of people in Kabul climbed rooftops at night and chanted “Allah Akbar” after two months of the Russian invasion of Afghanistan.

The revolution spread to other parts of the city like a jungle fire, with hundreds of people killed and thousands arrested during the unrest.

Men, women and students were mercilessly shot dead by the Soviet troops after they attacked tanks with axes, sticks and stones.

Faiz Mohammad, who lost his leg during the uprising, recalled: “Nobody was afraid of death on that day. All people came out of homes to sacrifice their lives for their motherland.” 

Haji Azizullah, another participant of the revolt, said: “There was darkness everywhere. Men, women and children were chanting Allah-O-Akbar.”

Two military jeeps and a fuel tanker of Russian forces were torched in Mirwais Maidan and Shah-i-Doshamshira areas of Kabul, he recalled.

In western Herat province, 24,000 people were killed in airstrikes by the occupation forces after they announced revolt against the then puppet regime on Mar, 14, 1979.

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