Sarandoy
| Sarandoy | |
|---|---|
The emblem of the Sarandoy | |
| Active | 1978–1992 |
| Country | Afghanistan |
| Allegiance | Democratic Republic of Afghanistan |
| Branch | Ministry of Interior Affairs |
| Type | Gendarmerie Military reserve force Paramilitary police Security forces Internal troops |
| Role | Reserve army Internal security Anti-tank warfare Counter-insurgency Counter-intelligence Covert operation Desert warfare Mountain warfare Executive protection Force protection HUMINT Manhunt Raiding Reconnaissance Security checkpoint Tracking Traffic police Counter-terrorism Hostage rescue Patrol Riot police Crowd control Riot control Incident response team Police tactical unit Protective security unit Security forces Highway patrol Prisons officers Law enforcement Police Patrolling Detectives |
| Size | 115,000 men (at height) |
| Headquarters | Kabul |
| Nickname(s) | "Defenders of the Revolution" |
| Engagements | Soviet–Afghan War Afghan Civil War (1989–1992) Afghan Civil War (1992-1996) Afghanistan–Pakistan border skirmishes |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders | General Sayed Mohammad Gulabzoy General Mohammad Aslam Watanjar |
The Sarandoy (Pashto: څارندوی, lit. 'Defenders of the Revolution'; also spelled Tsarandoi from Russian: Царандой) were the gendarmerie force of the Soviet-backed Democratic Republic of Afghanistan under the Ministry of Interior from 1978 to 1992, during the Soviet–Afghan War.