Turabaz Khan

Turabaz Khan (; 1885–1982) was an Afghan military officer and government official. A member of a Safi tribal family from Tagab, he served in the Afghan Army and held senior police, security, and provincial administrative posts during the reigns of King Amanullah Khan, King Mohammad Nadir Shah, and King Mohammad Zahir Shah. His appointments included commander of the Afridi Battalion, Sarhaddar (military governor) of Dakka, Commander of Police of Kabul, Chief of Security at the Ministry of Interior, and Hakim-i-Ala (provincial governor) of the Eastern Province.

Career

Military education Turabaz Khan was educated at the Madrasse-ye Ḥarbi-ye Sirājiyah (Royal Military College) in Kabul.

Service and appointments

General Turabaz Khan (left) during a formal military parade, c. late 1940s–early 1950s.

In 1922, Turabaz Khan was appointed commander of the Afridi Battalion. From 1924 to 1930, he served as Sarhaddar (military governor) of Dakka.

In 1931, he was appointed Qūmāndān-e Kōtwālī (Commander of Police) of Kabul. British diplomatic reports from the same year indicate that he was promoted to the rank of Ghund Mishar (brigadier) and served, at least initially, in an acting capacity following the reassignment of Abdul Jamil Khan.

He retained this position until his appointment as Hakim-i-Ala (provincial governor) of the Eastern Province in 1939. Ghulam Siddiq Turabaz served as an army general and was appointed a member of the first Loya Jirga of the Republic of Afghanistan in 1973. Siddiqa Turabaz married Fazl Mohammad Khairzada, former Vice-President of Bank-i-Milli Afghanistan.

Turabaz Khan died in 1982 in Kabul. A crossroads near his residence, Char-Rahi Turabaz Khan (چهارراهی طره باز خان), is named after him.