The Road to Afghanistan - George Washington University

that the guards were prepared to act if it became necessary.“Shilka” anti-aircraft guns were positioned in front of the Ministry of InternalAffairs. They noticed a familiar face near one of them. “Lateef!” both operatives exclaimedat the same time.Five years ago, Major Lateef (then a senior lieutenant) had taken part in Daoud’santi-monarchical coup. At the time he was neither a member of the PDPA nor an ally ofDaoud. Lateef was not particularly interested in politics. He participated in the antimonarchicalcoup perhaps because he couldn’t help but join his Soviet-sympathizer friendsat that time. Not joining them would seem like a betrayal of the bonds of militarybrotherhood and a display of cowardice that would cast disgrace on an Afghan man.But now, from his post on the armored Shilka, the major appeared very differentfrom the way the intelligence officers were accustomed to seeing him. He was disheveledand unshaven, and wore a loose-fitting black jumpsuit and tank helmet instead of hiscustomary tailored military uniform. His face was blackened from a combination ofhypertension, stubble, and soot.The major didn’t notice the Russians. With an automatic gun on his knees, he waslooking towards the expansive green lawn in front of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Therethe ministerial staff sat cross-legged on the lawn in their jackets and undergarments.Soldiers armed with Kalashnikovs walked among the rows of pantless officials. Victorgiggled. “Great idea. They won’t be able to run very far looking like this!”Then they drove on to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The white walls of theministry had been scarred and the windows shattered by artillery fire. There was not oneunbroken window in sight. Valery remembered how one Afghan merchant had recently59