Country: | Afghanistan |
Details of Formation: | The group’s leader Esmat Muslim allied with the government after Pakistan cut supplies for his guerilla activities in 1982. |
Details of Termination: | There is no clear termination date but the group’s leader Esmat Muslim died in a Soviet hospital in 1991. This is used as the end date, as there is no more evidence for this group after that date. |
Purpose: | The group was formed to protect Achekzai settlements and parts of Afghanistan’s border to Pakistan. |
Organisation: | The group was commanded by Esmat Muslim and one source reports that he operated relatively independently from governmental control. |
Weapons and Training: | According to the New York Times, the group was in possession of tanks and artillery. |
Size: | -- |
Reason for Membership: | Loyalty to the ethnic group of the Achekzai tribe (and its chief Esmat Muslim) is reported as an influence on supporting and joining the PGM. |
Treatment of Civilians: | The group was established to protect the population along the Pakistani border, focusing on Achekzai people in particular. According to a statement, the PGM killed counter-revolutionaries and arrested members of armed bands. |
Other Information: | Ethnic Membership is inferred as the Achekzai (or Achakzai) tribe is a subgroup of Pashtuns (Afghanistan). |
References: | Information was taken from news sources listed in the PGMD. |