LONDON: Afghanistan’s King Mohammed Zahir Shah was overthrown in a political coup today [July 17] and the mountainous Muslim kingdom was proclaimed a republic. The rising, led by the King’s cousin, General Sardar Mohammed Daud, was announced in a Kabul Radio broadcast. It came while the 59-year-old Monarch, who had ruled Afghanistan for 40 years, was in Italy for health treatment.

In a Kabul Radio address today, Gen Daud, a former Prime Minister, declared the overthrow of the Monarchy … was to end “corrupt and effete” Government and save the country from ruin. But from the King — staying at a luxury hotel in Ischia off the coast of Naples … — there was no immediate comment.

Diplomatic sources in New Delhi reported small arms fire, explosions and aerial activity in Kabul earlier in the day. Kabul airport was closed and closely guarded and telephone lines were cut. Troops paraded through the Afghan capital’s main streets and guarded the city’s main buildings. … Martial Law was declared at 0900 Afghanistan time … today and the Afghanistan radio was warning people to keep off the streets. [D]iplomatic missions in Kabul believed the country’s frontiers had been sealed. — News agencies

Published in Dawn, July 18th, 2023