Illustrious Personalities of the Ummah
Martyr Saeed Azad Khan “Atal”, may Allah accept him, was a courageous, principled, and devout young man who embodied the true spirit of heroism. He was the son of the late Nazar Aka and the grandson of Khuda Nazar Aka. Born in 1373 Hijri Solar (1994 CE) in the village of Ghabargi, located in the Gomal District of Paktika Province, he came from a family deeply rooted in religious values and committed to the cause of Jihad. From an early age, his character reflected the qualities of bravery, piety, and a profound sense of spiritual awareness.
True to the meaning of his name, “Atal”, which means “Hero”, he lived a life that exemplified its essence. He was God-conscious, honorable, emotionally aware, and unwavering in his commitment to truth. He devoted himself to the path of Jihad under the leadership of Commander Mullah Muhammad Dawood “Olfat”, striving for the establishment of an Islamic system.
This worldly life held little value for him. His greatest hope and lifelong aspiration was to see his homeland liberated from foreign occupation, to witness the rise of Islamic governance, and to achieve martyrdom in this noble struggle. He would often say:
“May Allah Almighty deliver us from these trials, tribulations, and afflictions.”
Only a month before his martyrdom, he repeated these words in conversation with a friend, expressing his deep longing for spiritual fulfillment.
Atal was among those rare individuals who refused to accept the presence of foreign forces on Afghan soil. Tireless and unflinching, he consistently took part in ambushes, mine-laying operations, and direct assaults in his region, always placing himself at the forefront of resistance.
As the Mujahideen’s advances grew in strength and scope, the occupying powers, alarmed by their momentum, resorted to a new strategy. They began deploying their manufactured proxy group known as ISIS into Afghanistan’s northeastern provinces, particularly Nangarhar and Kunar. This move opened multiple fronts of conflict and aimed to overwhelm the forces of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA). Despite the intense pressures and exhaustion, the Mujahideen remained firm and determined.
When preparations were underway to deploy forces to Nangarhar, Atal’s dedication and valor made him the natural choice. His commander selected him for the mission as a testament to the respect he had earned among his peers. One of his fellow fighters, Hamza, who was also later martyred, shared a remarkable memory from their journey:
“As we traveled to Jalalabad, Atal would write down the names of different places along the way. He told me, ‘I’m doing this so that you won’t get lost on the way back.’ I asked him, ‘Why do you say that?’ He replied, ‘I will be martyred, and you will bring my body back along this road.’ And indeed, it happened exactly as he had foretold.”
Such foresight, such bravery, and such profound faith speak volumes about the strength of his conviction.
Upon arriving in Nangarhar, Atal immediately joined the fight against the ISIS. He participated in bold offensives against their strongholds and contributed to the disruption of their operations. The Mujahideen launched coordinated attacks from all directions and eventually liberated large swaths of territory from their presence. On the 27th night of the blessed month of Ramadan, Atal finally attained what he had long prayed for, which was martyrdom.
We consider him among the martyrs, and Allah is the best of judges.
Date and Place of Martyrdom
Martyr Saeed Azad Khan “Atal”, may Allah accept him, was martyred on 1 Saratan 1396 Hijri Solar, corresponding to 27 Ramadan 1438 Hijri Lunar (June 2017). His martyrdom occurred during a direct confrontation with ISIS in Sherzad District, Jalalabad Province, under the command of the revered Martyr Al-Haj Pir Agha Sahib, may Allah have mercy on him.
An Exclusive Sign Following His Martyrdom
Hamza, may Allah accept him, recounted an extraordinary event that followed Atal’s martyrdom:
“After Atal was martyred during a battle in the mountains, we brought his body down and placed it in a school beside the bodies of other young martyrs. His eyes remained open. Then an elderly man, the father of four martyrs, approached and gently said to him, ‘O martyr, close your eyes.’ Instantly, his eyes closed.”
This was not something that could be explained by ordinary means. It was a clear sign and a divine honor granted by Allah Almighty, reflecting the spiritual station of the martyr.
Final Wish and Enduring Legacy
Among his final wishes, Martyr Atal hoped that the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) would take care of the orphans and families of the martyrs. As part of his righteous legacy (Al-Baqiyat as-Salihat), he left behind two young daughters who survive him as a testament to his sacrifice.
May Allah accept his martyrdom, elevate his rank among the righteous, and bestow patience, strength, and dignity upon his family.
