Najibullah, Ahmadzai (1947–1996)

Afghan communist politician, leader of the People's Democratic Party of Afghanistan (PDPA) from 1986, and state president 1986–92. Although his government initially survived the withdrawal of Soviet troops in February 1989, continuing pressure from the Mujahedin forces resulted in his eventual overthrow. He was executed in September 1996 by the Taliban (Islamic student army), who had seized control of most of Afghanistan.

A Pathan, Najibullah joined the communist PDPA in 1965, allying with its gradualist Parcham (banner) faction, and was twice imprisoned for anti‐government political activities during the 1960s and 1970s. After the Soviet invasion in December 1979, Najibullah became head of the KHAD secret police and entered the PDPA Politburo in 1981. He replaced Babrak Karmal as leader of the PDPA, and thus the nation, in May 1986. His attempts to broaden the support of the PDPA regime had little success, and his hold on power became imperilled in 1989 following the withdrawal of the Soviet military forces. The Mujahedin continued to demand his resignation and resisted any settlement under his regime. In the spring of 1992, he was captured while attempting to flee the country and placed under United Nations protection, pending trial by an Islamic court. In September 1996 he was executed, with his brother, by the Taliban government. His body was strung up for public display.