KhadEdit

khad (often rendered KHAD in English-language sources) was the security and intelligence organization of the socialist state in Afghanistan during the 1980s. As the central security apparatus of the People's Democratic Party of Afghanistan, khad combined domestic counterintelligence, political policing, and foreign intelligence work in a single agency. Its remit extended from internal security and political control to overseas intelligence operations conducted in coordination with Soviet Union advisers and troops during the Soviet–Afghan War.

Introductory overview - khad emerged from the PDPA's efforts to consolidate power after the Saur Revolution and the ensuing upheavals. Its mandate was to deter and defeat political dissent, quell organized opposition, and protect the regime from insurgent networks operating across Afghanistan's eastern and southern frontiers. - The organization reported directly to the top leaders of the PDPA government and worked closely with the Soviet Union as part of broader security and military collaboration during the 1980s. - khad is often cited in assessments of state security machinery in post-revolutionary contexts, where the line between counterinsurgency and political repression can become a matter of debate among historians and policymakers.

Origins and development

Background

In the wake of the late 1970s political upheavals, the PDPA sought to create a centralized security structure capable of mass mobilization and rapid response to perceived threats. khad was designed to be the core instrument of that effort, absorbing several earlier security functions into a single umbrella organization.
The organization operated within the framework of a one-party state, and its legitimacy, like that of other security services in similar contexts, rested on its ability to stabilize a regime facing a multiform insurgency.

Establishment and growth

khad was formally organized in the early 1980s and developed a hierarchical structure with domestic security, foreign intelligence, counterintelligence, and operational units. This allowed it to pursue both internal opposition and foreign targets aligned with the PDPA government’s aims.
The agency benefited from external support and training from Soviet Union security services, reflecting a close security partnership during the Soviet–Afghan War.

Organization and methods

internal security and political policing: khad operated surveillance networks, informants, and detention facilities aimed at preventing organized opposition and countering dissent within the population;
foreign intelligence: the agency conducted overseas intelligence work and supported international operations tied to the PDPA’s strategic objectives;
coordination with military and border authorities: khad worked in tandem with other security and military organs to secure Afghanistan's frontiers and suppress cross-border insurgent activity.

Role in Afghanistan's conflicts

Domestic security and counterinsurgency

khad played a central role in the state’s attempts to deter, disrupt, and defeat the mujahideen insurgency that grew throughout the 1980s. Its activities spanned intelligence gathering, coercive measures, and the dissemination of political messaging intended to delegitimize opposition movements.
The agency is often described in historical accounts as a primary instrument of repression used to maintain regime stability in the face of sustained internal and regional threats.

Foreign dimension and the Soviet alliance

The alliance between khad and Soviet Union security services was an important feature of Afghanistan’s security landscape during the period. This partnership facilitated cross-border operations and training, and it helped integrate khad into a broader Cold War security framework.
The collaboration extended to intelligence sharing, logistical support, and joint planning aimed at countering external and internal sources of destabilization.

Controversies and debates

Security versus civil rights

Critics argue that khad, as the security arm of a one-party state, operated with broad latitude to suppress political opponents, suppress dissent, and override civil liberties. Detractors point to reported cases of detention, interrogation, and harsh treatment of detainees as indicative of a systematic approach to political control.
Proponents contend that in a war-torn, insurgent environment, a centralized security structure was necessary to preserve governance, deter secessionist or extremist networks, and prevent chaos from spilling into Afghanistan’s cities and countryside.

Legitimacy and effectiveness

Debates about khad’s legitimacy often hinge on questions of state-building and the balance between security and liberty. Supporters emphasize the importance of stability for development and the prevention of a collapse into factional violence, while critics stress the long-term costs of compromising political rights and institutional accountability.
The international lens on khad reflects broader conversations about security services in states facing irregular warfare, where external engagement and internal coercion intersect in complex ways.

Legacies and historical evaluation

After the PDPA regime faltered in the early 1990s, khad’s organizational footprint dissolved as power shifted to various mujahideen factions and later to other security structures. Some elements of the security establishment persisted in different forms or were reorganized in the years that followed, influencing subsequent Afghan security institutions, including National Directorate of Security and other agencies tasked with intelligence and counterterrorism.