The Chindawol uprising was a failed insurrection that took place on June 23, 1979 in the Chindawol district in the old city of Kabul, Afghanistan. The rebellion was started by the arrests of scholars and influential fighters of the city's Shia community of Hazaras and Qizilbash by the ruling Khalq-PDPA government. Chindawol is predominantly populated by these communities. The protests escalated when residents attacked and held a police station that day, marching on the streets and on Joda-i Maiwand whilst shouting religious and anti-government slogans.[1] Several thousands took part. The government brutally cracked down on them in a four-hour battle, using Mil Mi-24 helicopters and tanks. around 10,000 Hazaras and Qizilbash were arrested and executed.[2][3]

1979 Chindawol uprising
Part of the 1979 uprisings in Afghanistan
Kabul is located in Afghanistan
Kabul
Kabul
Kabul (Afghanistan)
Date23 June–2 July 1979
Location
Chindawol, Kabul, Afghanistan
Result

Afghan government victory

  • Followed by a massacre
Belligerents

Afghanistan

Afghan Qizilbash and Hazara residents of Chindawol
Commanders and leaders
Nur Muhammad Taraki
Hafizullah Amin
No centralized leadership
Casualties and losses
Unknown Around 10,000 arrested and executed

It was the first popular uprising of 1979 that occurred in Kabul.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Flashback to 1979: A massacre of unarmed civilians in an uprising « RAWA News". www.rawa.org.
  2. ^ "The First Urban Protest against the Soviet Occupation: The February 1980 Kabul Uprising - Afghanistan Analysts Network". www.afghanistan-analysts.org. 22 February 2015.
  3. ^ Afghanistan under Soviet Domination, 1964–91 by Anthony Hyman