Sarandoy

Sarandoy. The Sarandoy was the primary gendarmerie and internal security force of the Democratic Republic of Afghanistan during the Soviet–Afghan War. Formed and heavily supported by the Soviet Union, it operated under the national Ministry of the Interior and was distinct from the Afghan National Army, which fell under the Ministry of Defense. Its primary missions included guarding key infrastructure, securing major cities and highways, and conducting counter-insurgency operations against the Mujahideen resistance factions.

History

The force was established in 1980 following the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan and the consolidation of power by the People's Democratic Party of Afghanistan government under Babrak Karmal. Its creation was part of a broader Soviet strategy to build reliable indigenous security institutions, mirroring the role of Soviet Internal Troops within the USSR. Throughout the 1980s, it grew significantly in size and capability with direct assistance from Soviet KGB advisors and the MVD. The force was a key instrument for the Kabul government, particularly during the leadership of Mohammad Najibullah, in attempting to maintain control over urban centers and vital supply routes like the Salang Pass.

Organization and structure

The organization was structured into brigades and battalions, often deployed on a regional basis to correspond with Afghanistan's provincial boundaries. It fell under the direct command of the Afghan Ministry of the Interior, with its senior officers typically being members of the ruling People's Democratic Party of Afghanistan. Soviet advisors, particularly from the MVD and the KGB, were embedded at various command levels to oversee training, planning, and major operations. While separate from the Afghan National Army, the two forces frequently conducted joint operations, with the army focusing more on conventional offensives and the gendarmerie handling rear-area security and counter-insurgency in populated zones.

Role in the Soviet–Afghan War

During the Soviet–Afghan War, the force was perpetually engaged in combat against the diverse Mujahideen groups. Its responsibilities included defending key government installations in Kabul, Kandahar, and Herat, and escorting convoys along the perilous Highway 1. It played a major role in numerous brutal counter-guerrilla campaigns, often in tandem with Soviet units like the 40th Army and the KHAD intelligence service. Operations such as those in the Panjshir Valley against forces loyal to Ahmad Shah Massoud saw its units deployed in significant numbers, suffering heavy casualties due to constant ambushes and the challenging terrain of the Hindu Kush.

Equipment and training

The force was equipped primarily with Soviet-designed small arms and light vehicles, including AK-47 rifles, PK machine guns, RPG-7 grenade launchers, and BTR-60 armored personnel carriers. Its training was conducted extensively by Soviet MVD and KGB advisors, with programs focused on counter-insurgency tactics, urban warfare, and political indoctrination. Some specialized units received advanced instruction in counter-terrorism and VIP protection. The reliance on Soviet supply chains, however, made its operational effectiveness vulnerable to disruptions, especially as Mujahideen groups, supported by the United States and Pakistan, interdicted logistics routes.

Legacy and dissolution

Following the withdrawal of Soviet troops from Afghanistan in 1989 and the collapse of the Democratic Republic of Afghanistan in 1992, the force effectively disintegrated. Many of its personnel deserted, joined various Mujahideen militias, or were absorbed into the fragmented forces of the Islamic State of Afghanistan. Its existence underscored the Soviet model of building parallel security structures in client states and highlighted the severe challenges of creating a loyal, effective force in a deeply fractured society. The failure of such institutions contributed directly to the ensuing Afghan Civil War (1992–1996) and the eventual rise of the Taliban.

Category:Military units and formations of Afghanistan Category:Soviet–Afghan War Category:Internal security forces